Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Aam Aadmi Party government has made the aviation sector one of its top priorities to turn its vision of a “Rangla Punjab” into reality. Since March 2022, the government has worked on a detailed plan to make aviation a key driver of Punjab’s economy, industrial connectivity, and tourism.
Under the state’s 2022 Industrial and Business Development Policy, special focus has been given to building airport-led industrial corridors, backed by investments of over ₹100 crore.One major example of this growth is the Halwara International Airport project near Ludhiana.
Started under earlier governments, the project had almost stopped by 2022 due to lack of funds and administrative delays. Its suspension had badly affected Ludhiana’s global industrial connectivity. The project needed strong political commitment and quick action to move forward.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann turned this challenge into an opportunity. After taking office, he personally took charge of reviving the stalled project. The AAP government released ₹60 crore from the state treasury to restart construction. This direct intervention from the Chief Minister ensured that work did not stop due to funding issues, giving the project a fresh lease of life.
The results of these efforts have been remarkable. By April 2025, 100% of the interim terminal’s construction was completed, and it was inaugurated on July 27, 2025. The state assembly also unanimously approved naming the airport after freedom fighter Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha. Once operational, the airport will greatly benefit Ludhiana’s manufacturing belt and create around 10,000 new jobs.
The government’s focus is not only on new projects but also on upgrading existing airports. During the AAP government’s tenure, the Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar has become the pride of Punjab’s aviation sector. In the fiscal year 2024–25, passenger traffic there rose by a record 22.6%, crossing 3.5 million passengers—a historic high.
This major growth reflects the government’s continuous efforts to boost international connectivity. New flights have started from Amritsar to destinations like Kuala Lumpur, London, Rome, and Verona. In July 2024, AirAsia X honored Amritsar Airport with the “Best Station Award” among 24 international airports for its 95% on-time performance and improved passenger facilities.
The government has also worked hard on regional air connectivity. Due to active coordination with the central government, flights from regional airports like Adampur (Jalandhar) and Bathinda have successfully resumed. New routes from Adampur to cities like Mumbai and Jaipur have been announced, giving a strong boost to the Doaba region.
This reflects the government’s commitment to connect every part of Punjab by air.Overall, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab government has invested between ₹150 crore and ₹200 crore in the aviation sector.
Whether building an 8.5-km road to Chandigarh Airport at a cost of ₹200 crore, reviving the stalled Halwara project, or expanding Amritsar’s global reach, every step is strengthening Punjab’s presence as an emerging aviation hub. Clearly, Punjab’s skies are rising to new heights of progress under the AAP government’s vision.