Ambala Civil Airport Development Complete, Awaits Security Clearance for Flight Operations
The Union government has officially informed Parliament that all development works at Ambala Civil Airport in Haryana have been successfully completed. However, the airport is still awaiting crucial security clearance before commercial flight operations can commence, according to a recent parliamentary response.
Parliamentary Response Details Development Status
In response to an unstarred question (No. 1073) raised by Ambala Lok Sabha MP Varun Chaudhary on February 5, 2026, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol provided detailed information about the airport's status. The minister clarified that Ambala Airport is owned by the Indian Air Force (IAF), with the Government of Haryana developing a civil enclave at the facility.
The airport was identified under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, with Rs 25 crore sanctioned specifically for its development. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been designated responsible for operation and maintenance under an agreement signed on March 17, 2025.
Route Allocation and Airline Preparations
Under the UDAN 4.2 initiative, the Ambala–Srinagar–Ambala route was initially awarded to FlyBig for operations using a 19-seater aircraft. This route allocation was later novated to Skyhop Aviation Private Limited. According to the minister's statement, the airline is currently completing necessary regulatory and operational requirements. Flights are expected to commence once these requirements are fulfilled, subject to the operational readiness of the airport infrastructure.
MP Raises Serious Concerns About Planning and Compliance
Ambala MP Varun Chaudhary expressed significant concerns about the government's response, particularly regarding the lack of clarity about whether the terminal building was constructed in accordance with prescribed airport regulatory norms. "The government's failure to clearly state whether the terminal building was constructed in accordance with prescribed airport regulatory norms raises serious doubts about preparedness and compliance," Chaudhary stated.
The MP highlighted several specific issues that could impact the airport's functionality:
- Only one apron bay for commercial aircraft has been provided from the IAF-owned apron
- This limited infrastructure could adversely impact the functioning and scalability of the civil terminal
- Just a single route is currently in the pipeline for the airport
- Even this sole route remains non-operational due to pending regulatory and operational clearances
Comparison with Hisar Airport and Community Concerns
Drawing a concerning comparison with another Haryana airport, MP Chaudhary cautioned that residents are anxious that Ambala Civil Airport should not meet the same fate as Hisar Airport. Hisar Airport experienced multiple changes in its intended civil aviation purpose—transitioning from a civil airport to a pilot training facility, then to an aircraft parking site, and later to a cargo handling facility.
"With such slow progress, people of Ambala and surrounding districts will have to wait much longer to avail air connectivity," Chaudhary emphasized. He noted that community members are praying that Ambala Airport does not remain stuck in uncertainty despite years of announcements and development work.
Regulatory Framework and Next Steps
The government clarified in its parliamentary response that, since Ambala Airport operates as a civil enclave within an IAF base, aerodrome licensing from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) does not apply to this facility. While infrastructure development has been declared complete, security clearance remains the critical pending step that must be obtained before any commercial flight operations can begin.
The situation highlights the complex interplay between military and civilian aviation infrastructure in India, as well as the challenges of implementing regional air connectivity initiatives under the UDAN scheme. As Ambala awaits its security clearance, questions about long-term planning, regulatory compliance, and operational scalability continue to shape the conversation around this important regional aviation project.
