Ludhiana: Air India announced on Thursday that it will commence four daily flights between Delhi and the newly developed Halwara Airport in Ludhiana starting May 15, 2026. The airline will be the first carrier to operate on this specific route, utilizing its A320 family aircraft to bridge Punjab’s largest industrial hub with the national capital. The schedule is strategically designed to cater to business travellers, offering same-day return options and, more significantly, seamless international connections through Air India’s primary global gateway in Delhi.
The flight operations will feature two daily rotations. The early morning service, AI481, will depart Delhi at 05:55 and arrive in Halwara at 07:05, with the return leg, AI482, leaving Halwara at 07:55. A second mid-day rotation will see AI483 depart Delhi at 12:55 and AI484 depart Halwara at 14:40. Air India Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal emphasized that these timings are specifically aimed at maximizing onward connectivity to long-haul destinations in Europe and the United Kingdom, such as London, Birmingham, Paris, Rome, and Milan, with the added convenience of through-checked baggage.
This move is expected to provide a significant boost to Punjab’s export-driven economy by offering faster global access for manufacturing clusters in and around Ludhiana. By providing a single-ticket journey to international destinations, Air India aims to eliminate the need for extended layovers or arduous road travel to other major airports. The expansion reflects a broader trend among Indian carriers to strengthen feeder networks from Tier-2 industrial cities to support their growing international long-haul capacities.
As the May 15 launch date approaches, the industrial community in Ludhiana has welcomed the entry of a full-service carrier, noting that the A320 operations will offer a more reliable and comfortable alternative to previous regional flight attempts. Air India’s entry into Halwara follows the recent inauguration of the civil terminal and is seen as a vital step in integrating the region into the global aviation map.
