New airport to be built at Halwara airbase has been named Halwara Airport, codenamed HWR. This is part of the mandatory process before starting operations. The application for this was made by Air India.
The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has urged the Punjab Public Works Department (PWD) to hand over the full control of the civil terminal to the AAI, as it is necessary to start operations. AAI Chairman Vipin Kumar told Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora that the operational date of the airport will be decided after the process of handing over the terminal is completed.
MP Sanjeev Arora raised the issue with Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal and requested that the PWD ensure the official transfer of the terminal building at the earliest, so that the airport can be made operational soon. Air India is already showing interest in commercial flights, and flights are likely to start as soon as operations begin.
Arora said that he is in constant touch with the central and state government agencies to get Ludhiana recognized globally. This airport will also provide convenience to passengers from Malwa region and nearby states in Ludhiana, known as the “Manchester of India”. He assured that he will make every possible effort to complete Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s dream project Halwara Airport soon.