Ludhiana: For city residents, the promise of flights from Halwara Airport are like the pot at the end of the rainbow. No matter how close the city comes to take-off, expectations remain firmly grounded. It looked like the pattern of delays would break when the Prime Minister virtually inaugurated flight operations in the first week of Feb. However, the virtual inauguration did not change the ground reality. Despite the anticipation built since inauguration, sources at the airport feel it is unlikely for flights to commence this month.On Feb 1, a longstanding aspiration of Ludhiana residents materialised when the Prime Minister virtually inaugurated the airport. The facility, seen as a crucial link for the industrial city, was expected to bring much-needed air connectivity. However, more than one and a half months after the ceremony, commercial operations are yet to begin. A source in the Airport Authority of India (AAI) revealed that the flights were supposed to commence on March 29, coinciding with the beginning of the summer schedule issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). But with only 10 to 12 days left in the month, the source said it now seems unlikely that operations will begin in March, chiefly because airlines typically initiate ticket bookings well before the launch of flights.According to the source, an official from a private airline visited Halwara Airport in the first week of March to review available services and facilities. AAI has already allotted essential spaces to the airline— including a room, ticket booking counter and other operational areas. However, the airline has not yet taken possession of these spaces, leaving the timeline for starting operations uncertain.AAI sources said the private airline is expected to deploy around five to six office staff members and approximately 15 to 16 ground staff members to manage operations once they begin. Meanwhile, preparations continue on other fronts at the airport. Sources said that adequate number of Punjab Police personnel are expected to be deployed at the airport around March 24. The security staff is currently undergoing training, which is likely to be completed by that date.Officials said all the required facilities are in place, and the airline has already obtained necessary permissions to begin operations. They added that technically, flights could start in days if the airline decides to move ahead. However, they emphasised that so far, they have not received any communication from the airline regarding the official date for launch of operations.The delay has left many city residents disappointed, especially those who had made travel plans based on the expected commencement of flights. Dr Ravinder Vatsyayan, a city resident who had been looking forward to using the new airport, described the delay as unfortunate. He said he had planned travel towards the end of March from Halwara Airport, but due to the lack of clarity, he has now shifted his plans to fly from Chandigarh airport instead. He expressed the hope that the launch would not be pushed further and services would begin soon.City-based architect Sanjay Goyal said Ludhiana has suffered for decades due to the absence of a proper airport. He remarked that even after the Prime Minister’s inauguration, the continued delay in starting flight operations does not reflect well. While the airport stands ready and residents continue to wait, the final decision now rests with the airline. For now, uncertainty remains the only constant.Box 1: Likely flight timingsAs per AAI sources, of the two flights the first is expected to land at Halwara Airport at around 9am and depart at around 9.40am. They added that arrival time of the second flight will be around 3pm while the likely departure time will be 3.40pm. Airbus A 320 will fly between Halwara Airport and IGI Delhi. The plane can carry 180 passengers.Uncertainty Persists Uncertainty persists over the start of commercial flights from Halwara Airport AAI sources say flights were earlier expected to begin from March 29 with the DGCA summer schedule, but this now appears unlikely Airlines are yet to begin ticket bookings or take possession of allotted counters and operational space at the airport An airline official inspected the airport facilities in the first week of March Private airline expected to deploy 5–6 office staff and 15–16 ground staff for operations Punjab Police personnel likely to be deployed at the airport around March 24 after completing training AAI says all facilities and permissions are in place and operations could begin any day if airlines proceed
