The inaugural Delhi-Halwara flight is scheduled to take off at 5:55 am on May 15, with the much-awaited Halwara Airport set to become operational in less than a week, marking a significant milestone for the region.
However, the initial response to the service has remained subdued. Well-placed sources in Air India said the airline has so far sold only around 40 per cent of the seats for the inaugural flight. Officials believe it may take up to six months for the new airport to build public confidence in air travel from this region.
Sources told The Tribune that a 138-seater aircraft is expected to operate the flight.
“The passenger load is poor for both onward and return flights. On the first day, bookings are around 40 per cent, while for subsequent days they are between 10–15 per cent. For Air India, it will be a wait-and-watch situation over the next few months as the airline works to gain public trust,” an official said.
The return morning flight from Halwara to Delhi has also seen limited traction, with only about 35 seats booked so far.
Commenting on the low occupancy, Pankaj Sharma, president of the Association of Trade and Industrial Undertakings, said he had considered booking a ticket from Halwara for a trip to Kolkata in June.
“However, it was not a viable option. Starting early in the morning, I would have reached Kolkata only by late evening. My entire day would have been wasted due to a layover of more than three hours in Delhi. Several factors need to be evaluated before opting for air travel,” he said.
Many passengers continue to prefer trains such as Shatabdi Express and Vande Bharat Express, citing comfort and familiarity. Industry observers believe it may take time for travellers to shift to flights and develop confidence in the new service.
