Bathinda, Oct 8: Passenger movement at Bathinda Airport has ground to a complete halt following the withdrawal of Alliance Air’s daily Delhi connection, leaving the facility without a single scheduled commercial flight.
The final flight departed the airport on October 6, capping off a month marked by severe operational inconsistency. Constructed at Virk Kalan along the Bathinda-Malout highway to boost regional socio-economic growth under the regional ‘UDAN’ scheme, the aviation terminal now stands inactive. Passengers seeking air transport from the region must now commute over 100 km to the nearest operational air terminal at Halwara in Ludhiana.
The airport was launched with significant expectations in late 2016, but inconsistent flight schedules and eventual carrier departures have repeatedly affected operations. With the last remaining route now suspended, local stakeholders and frequent commuters have urged civil aviation authorities to step in and restore stable, long-term flight connectivity for the Malwa belt.
