Ludhiana: The long-awaited launch of air connectivity between Delhi and Halwara is finally set to begin on May 15, as the first commercial flight on the route is scheduled to depart at 5:55 am. The commencement of operations marks a major step for the newly developed Halwara Airport and is expected to improve travel access for people across central Punjab.
Despite the excitement surrounding the launch, advance bookings for the inaugural service have remained modest. Airline sources said only a limited number of seats have been reserved so far, with occupancy for the first flight hovering at around 40 percent.
A 138-seat aircraft is expected to operate on the route. However, booking trends for the following days have reportedly been weaker, with reservations currently estimated between 10 and 15 percent.
Officials linked to the airline believe the route may need several months to gain momentum as passengers gradually adapt to the new airport and assess its convenience compared to existing travel options.
The return service from Halwara to Delhi has also received a restrained response, with fewer than half the seats booked ahead of launch.
Travel industry representatives say the lower-than-expected turnout is largely due to practical concerns such as lengthy layovers for connecting flights and overall travel time.
Pankaj Sharma, president of the Association of Trade and Industrial Undertakings, said he had explored using the new airport for a planned June trip to Kolkata but eventually decided against it.
He noted that while the new service is a positive development, extended transit time in Delhi made the journey less practical than other alternatives.
Many travellers in the region continue to prefer premium rail services like the Shatabdi Express and Vande Bharat, which remain popular due to reliability, comfort and established schedules.
Aviation observers believe Halwara Airport could emerge as a strong regional travel hub over time, but passenger confidence and regular usage are likely to build gradually as connectivity improves and flight options expand.
