Air India Teases Ludhiana with Virtual Flights to Delhi, Real Bookings Delayed
In a development that has stirred excitement and frustration in equal measure, Air India has officially listed Halwara International Airport as a destination on its booking portal, offering flights to Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. However, residents of Ludhiana, the industrial hub served by Halwara, are experiencing a digital tease: they can see the flights, but they cannot book them. The airline's website displays economy fares starting at ₹6,400 and a swift 80-minute travel time, yet searches for specific dates return a "no flights" message, leaving travelers in a holding pattern until at least March 28.
Website Update Signals Imminent Launch, But Logistics Lag
After years of anticipation following the airport's inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Air India has roped in an Airbus A320 for the route, capable of carrying up to 180 passengers in both Business and Economy classes. The flights will operate from Terminal 1 at both Halwara (LUD) and Delhi (DEL), drastically reducing the travel time from the current 5-hour road or rail journey to just 80 minutes over a 286-km distance. Despite this progress, the booking system remains inactive as the airline finalizes logistics, with a team having inspected facilities on February 13 to prepare for an on-site presence by early March.
Summer Schedule and Operational Delays
The delay in bookings is attributed to the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) summer schedule, which comes into force on March 28. Airport officials indicate that commercial operations are unlikely to begin before this date, aligning with the new schedule. Air India is expected to employ around 20 staffers at Halwara, including 15 to 16 ground crew members, who will manage the daily flights once they commence.
Proposed Flight Schedule and Local Impact
According to Airport Authority of India (AAI) sources, two daily flights are planned, with tentative timings that may adjust slightly under the summer schedule. The morning service is slated to arrive at Halwara at 7 am and depart for Delhi at 7:40 am, while the afternoon flight will arrive at 2:35 pm and depart at 3:40 pm. For Ludhiana's industrialists, professionals, and students, this connection promises enhanced access to global markets via Delhi, though they must wait a bit longer to experience it firsthand.
Resident Narinder Singh expressed the collective sentiment, stating, "It has been a long wait. This will benefit everyone from students to businessmen who currently rely on the lengthy road or rail journey." Until March 28, however, the flights remain a virtual reality, offering a glimpse of convenience without the ability to board.
