After years of missed deadlines and stalled progress, the long-awaited Halwara Airport in Ludhiana is finally set to be inaugurated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate the airport on February 1, 2026, marking a significant milestone for Punjab’s aviation and industrial infrastructure.
In preparation for the event, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has convened a high-level review meeting in Chandigarh to assess logistical and administrative arrangements. Senior officials have confirmed that the meeting aims to ensure smooth coordination ahead of the Prime Minister’s virtual inauguration.
The Halwara International Airport project has faced persistent delays since its original target inauguration in 2022. Work was halted in mid-2022 due to funding constraints from the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA). Additional setbacks followed, including pending Indian Air Force runway work, incomplete terminal infrastructure, and security clearances. As a result, the project missed several deadlines—June 2022, March 2023, October 2023, and March 2024—and even a previously announced virtual inauguration in July 2025 was deferred.
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Despite the inauguration, commercial flight operations are expected to begin later, with local authorities earlier indicating a tentative start around March 2026. This makes Halwara one of the rare cases where an airport is inaugurated ahead of full operational readiness.
Industrial stakeholders in Ludhiana have welcomed the development, viewing the airport as critical infrastructure for the region’s export-driven MSME and manufacturing sectors. Business leaders believe the airport will substantially reduce travel time and improve connectivity to national and international markets.
Once operational, Halwara Airport is expected to play a strategic role in strengthening Punjab’s industrial logistics and regional economic growth.