MP Sanjeev Arora met with AAI (Airports Authority of India) Chairman Vipin Kumar on Friday at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan in New Delhi to discuss the issuance of an airport code and the tentative operational date for Halwara Airport.
MP Arora emphasized the importance of issuing the airport code and confirming the operational date, as these steps are crucial for airlines to file the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and to obtain the requisite permissions from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
In response, Chairman Vipin Kumar immediately instructed the concerned officials from the operations team of AAI to do the needful at the earliest possible. Arora also spoke to Air India people to get the ball rolling from IATA (International Air Transport Association).
Chairman Vipin Kumar assured MP Arora that commercial flight operations from Ludhiana will commence soon. MP Arora also assured the Chairman of his support at all levels from the State Government.
Meanwhile, Arora reiterated that the Airport Project is the “dream project” of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann who sanctioned funds for it. The airport is being set up in an area measuring 161.28 acres. Of this area, the built-up Terminal area is 2,000 square metres.
The total civil terminal cost excluding land is around Rs.70 Crores. In November this year, Arora had met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and had requested for expediting work at Halwara Airport by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Arora said 100 percent work has been completed at the civil side of the airport. The Halwara Airport will be operational after completion of work pending on IAF side.