Halwara flight: Union minister of state Ravneet Bittu confirms May launch.

Ludhiana: After a decade of anticipation, the newly inaugurated Halwara Airport is set to begin commercial flight operations this May, marking a significant milestone for Punjab's industrial heartland.Union minister of state for railways, Ravneet Singh Bittu, who is from this region of Punjab, announced on Sunday that ticket bookings will commence in April, with the first flights expected between May 10 and 15. The service will feature two daily flights connecting Ludhiana to Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport using 160-seater A320 aircraft. "This is a major leap in connectivity for the region," Bittu stated, noting that the morning and afternoon slots will bolster trade and economic growth.While the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has already allocated office space and booking counters to private carriers, officials are currently awaiting the final deployment of approximately 20 ground and office staff. Sources within the AAI confirmed that the summer schedule issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) anticipates a 9am arrival from Delhi, followed by a second afternoon flight landing at 3pm.The news has been met with enthusiasm by the local business community. Upkar Singh Ahuja, president of the Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU), said the air link is essential for international buyers and the NRI diaspora. The airport was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Feb. 1, ending a "long-cherished dream" for the manufacturing hub's residents.