Parliament Question: Enhancing air connectivity of Halwara airport

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1797 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 9th March 2026 ENHANCING AIR CONNECTIVITY OF HALWARA AIRPORT 1797. SHRI RAJINDER GUPTA Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) the total number of flights operational from Halwara airport, Ludhiana, at present; (b) the details thereof route-wise and airline-wise; (c) whether Government is taking measures to enhance air connectivity from Halwara airport to major cities in the country; (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and (e) the proposed measures, if any, to be taken in this regard in the near future? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) to (e): At present, there are no scheduled flight operations at Halwara Airport, Ludhiana. Halwara Airport has been developed through a joint venture between the State Government of Punjab and the Airports Authority of India. The development work at the airport has been completed. The existing RCS flight operations connecting Ludhiana Airport may be diverted or shifted to Halwara Airport, subject to the consent of the Selected Airline Operator. With the repeal of the Air Corporations Act in March 1994, Indian domestic aviation was deregulated. Airlines are free to induct capacity with any aircraft type and to select the markets and networks they wish to serve. Hence, it is for the airline operators to introduce air services to/from any airport in the country, depending on their operational and commercial viability. ******