DELHI- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI), India’s flag carrier, has announced Halwara (HWR) as its newest domestic destination, launching daily flights from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi (DEL), effective 15 May 2026.
The airline becomes the first carrier to operate scheduled commercial services to the newly inaugurated Halwara International Airport, serving Punjab’s industrial hub of Ludhiana.
With four daily flights connecting Delhi (DEL) and Halwara (HWR), Air India offers travellers from Punjab a direct gateway to international destinations across Europe, including London, Birmingham, Rome, Milan, and Paris, all on a single ticket with baggage through-checked to the final destination.
Air India Adds Halwara to Its Domestic Network
Air India (AI) will operate two daily rotations between Delhi (DEL) and Halwara (HWR) using Airbus A320 family aircraft. The four daily flights are scheduled as follows, effective 15 May 2026:
| Flight | Route | Departure | Arrival | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI481 | Delhi (DEL) – Halwara (HWR) | 05:55 | 07:05 | Daily |
| AI482 | Halwara (HWR) – Delhi (DEL) | 07:55 | 09:10 | Daily |
| AI483 | Delhi (DEL) – Halwara (HWR) | 12:55 | 14:10 | Daily |
| AI484 | Halwara (HWR) – Delhi (DEL) | 14:40 | 15:55 | Daily |
All times are in local time zones.
The early morning flight AI481, departing Delhi (DEL) at 05:55, serves inbound passengers from Australia and overnight flights from Frankfurt and Paris. The return flight AI482, departing Halwara (HWR) at 07:55, is timed to connect passengers to Air India’s midday European bank from Delhi (DEL).
Same-Day International Connectivity via Delhi
The flight schedule is designed to provide same-day connections through Delhi (DEL) to key destinations in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Passengers from Halwara (HWR) and the surrounding areas of Ludhiana, Punjab, can travel seamlessly onward to cities such as London, Birmingham, Rome, Milan, and Paris without changing terminals.
All onward journeys are bookable on a single ticket with baggage through-checked to the final destination, removing the inconvenience of rechecking luggage at Delhi (DEL).
This is a significant advantage for frequent international travellers from Punjab’s industrial and migrant communities, who previously had to travel by road to Delhi or Chandigarh to access long-haul flights.
Strategic Significance for Air India’s Punjab Growth
Ludhiana is one of the largest urban areas in Punjab and a major industrial centre. The demand for air travel from this region is driven by business traffic, the large migrant community, and Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travellers.
By launching flights to Halwara (HWR), Air India captures this demand before competing carriers can establish a foothold at the new airport.
The launch also positions Air India (AI) to potentially expand Air India Express services from Mumbai and Bengaluru to Halwara (HWR) in the future, further strengthening its presence at the airport.
Serving the route with A320 family aircraft allows Air India (AI) to match capacity efficiently to current demand while keeping room for growth as the airport and its passenger volumes mature.
Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer of Air India (AI), stated that the airline is pleased to serve the people and communities of Ludhiana and neighbouring towns, making international travel simpler and more seamless for customers across Punjab through convenient connectivity via Delhi (DEL).
Air India (AI) flights to Halwara (HWR) are progressively available for booking across all channels, including the official Air India website.
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