Ghaziabad: The Hindon civil terminal in Ghaziabad is set to add parking bays and establish its own air traffic control (ATC), addressing key constraints that have hindered airlines from operating more services. The local administration and civil aviation ministry are intensifying efforts to retain it as a convenient third option for fliers in Delhi-NCR, especially as Noida airport becomes operational from Monday, giving the region two international airports.
Location Advantage and Current Operations
Hindon's strength lies in its central location in Ghaziabad, which has driven high demand for seats since Air India Express and later IndiGo launched flights. Although Air India Express has withdrawn, IndiGo continues to operate services to major cities. The terminal's director stated on Sunday that they are keen to add flights in the second half of the year once infrastructure upgrades are completed.
Expansion Plans by August 15
By August 15, the terminal building will expand by 700 square metres, creating space for additional flights. Crucially, a deal with the defence ministry will add 6,210 square metres, increasing parking capacity from the current two bays to six. This expansion will largely resolve the parking constraint that has capped the number of flights Hindon can handle.
Enhanced Capacity and Reduced Congestion
The expansion will strengthen Hindon as an alternative to Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) and Noida International Airport (NIA). “The terminal will be able to handle about 22 flights and over 500 passengers per hour after the capacity addition,” said Chilaka Mahesh, director of Hindon civil terminal, speaking on the eve of Yatri Suvidha Diwas observed at the terminal on Monday. Previously, the terminal handled a peak of 22 flights per day, but this led to congestion, delays, and cancellations due to aircraft parking constraints, dependence on IGI ATC, and restrictions on flight operations after evening.
Lease of Additional Bays from IAF
The four additional bays leased from the Indian Air Force (IAF), which operates the Hindon air base, will enable the terminal to run back-to-back flights without disruption, even if an aircraft is grounded due to a technical issue. Passengers will also benefit from eased timing restrictions. The ministry has given in-principle approval for mixed flight timings, effectively allowing operations beyond the IAF’s current dawn-to-dusk window.
Air Traffic Control and Expansion Presentation
Hindon will either establish its own ATC or use the IAF’s, staffed by retired IAF officials. A formal presentation of the expansion plan to officials from both the civil aviation and defence ministries is scheduled for Tuesday.
Interior Upgrades and Long-Term Plans
Inside the terminal, check-in counters will increase from nine to 12, and the vehicle kerb area will more than double from 3.5 metres to 8 metres, easing drop-off and pick-up congestion. In the longer term, of the 14.8 acres earmarked for expansion, consent has been obtained for 6.8 acres at an estimated cost of Rs 70 crore, with land acquisition expected shortly.
Current Flight Operations
Currently, Hindon operates eight flights on routes to Varanasi, Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata via IndiGo, and to Adampur, Kishangarh, and Nanded via Star Air.
