Air India has announced the launch of four daily flights between Delhi and Halwara (Ludhiana) starting May 15, marking a major step in improving air connectivity for Punjab’s industrial hub. With this move, Air India will become the first airline to operate scheduled services from Halwara Airport, opening new travel opportunities for passengers from Ludhiana and nearby regions.
The airline said the services will be operated using Airbus A320 family aircraft and will follow a business-friendly schedule designed to allow same-day domestic travel as well as convenient international connections. The new route will directly link Ludhiana with the national capital, strengthening connectivity with Delhi, which serves as the airline’s main international gateway.
Under the announced timetable, flight AI481 will depart Delhi at 05:55 in the morning and land in Halwara at 07:05. The return flight AI482 will leave Halwara at 07:55 and reach Delhi at 09:10. A second set of flights will operate later in the day, with AI483 departing Delhi at 12:55 and arriving in Halwara at 14:10. The return service AI484 will take off from Halwara at 14:40 and land in Delhi at 15:55. All four flights will operate daily.
The timing of these flights has been planned carefully to maximise connectivity through Delhi. Early morning and mid-day departures will allow passengers from Ludhiana and nearby industrial areas to reach Delhi in time for onward international flights without long layovers. This is expected to significantly ease travel for business professionals, exporters and families flying abroad.
Travellers will also benefit from seamless international connections through Delhi to destinations across Europe and the United Kingdom. Passengers will be able to book a single ticket for their entire journey and have their baggage checked through to final destinations such as London, Birmingham, Paris, Rome and Milan. This streamlined travel process will eliminate the hassle of collecting and rechecking luggage during transit.
Air India officials said the new service will strengthen the airline’s domestic feeder network into Delhi while providing faster global access for Punjab’s export-driven economy. The region around Ludhiana is known for its manufacturing industries, including textiles, bicycle parts, engineering goods and machine tools, many of which depend heavily on international trade.
Air India Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal said the airline is focused on expanding travel access for passengers in Ludhiana and surrounding areas by offering simpler and more seamless international connectivity through Delhi. According to him, the new flights will make global travel easier for both business and leisure passengers.
The launch also reflects a broader trend in India’s aviation sector, where airlines are increasingly expanding capacity in tier-2 cities and major industrial clusters. These regional routes act as feeder connections that support long-haul international flights and help airlines tap into growing demand from emerging economic centres.
For Ludhiana, the introduction of regular flights from Halwara Airport represents a long-awaited development. Until now, many travellers from the city had to rely on airports in Chandigarh or Delhi, often spending several hours on road travel before even reaching a flight. The new services are expected to reduce travel time, improve convenience and provide stronger global connectivity for the region.
With four daily flights linking Halwara to Delhi, the new route is set to transform travel options for Punjab’s industrial belt while strengthening Air India’s domestic network and international reach.
Summary – Key Highlights
Air India will start four daily flights between Delhi and Halwara from May 15 using Airbus A320 aircraft. The schedule includes early morning and mid-day services designed for same-day domestic travel and smooth international connections via Delhi. The airline becomes the first carrier to operate from Halwara Airport, offering Ludhiana passengers easier access to international destinations in Europe and the UK. The move is expected to boost business travel, support Punjab’s export economy and improve regional connectivity.