The Airport Authority of India (AAI) is planning to expand Hindon Airport in Ghaziabad, as it is nearing saturation with 600 daily passengers against a capacity of 700–800, AAI officials said on Monday.
The airport is planning to launch a new route to Bhubaneswar, for which airlines have already opened bookings. It recently introduced flights to Kolkata, Chennai, Goa, Bengaluru (two routes), Mumbai, and Jammu and has been operating flights to Adampur, Nanded, Kishangarh, Ludhiana, and Bathinda since 2024. The airport shares its runway with the Indian Air Force base at Hindon, allowing civil flights only between sunrise and sunset, as the airfield is used for military operations at other times.
Ghaziabad MP Atul Garg has requested AAI to expand connectivity to Varanasi, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Lucknow. Officials said expansion is being considered at the headquarter level to accommodate increasing passengers. “We have already enhanced seating arrangements and security systems to handle the additional passenger load. Expansion will focus on doubling the airport’s capacity, depending on land availability, parking space, flight schedules, and airline interest,” said Umesh Yadav, Hindon Airport Director.
The load factor in existing flights is 80-90%, and airlines are showing interest in operating from Hindon, further necessitating expansion. The terminal building remains the primary limitation rather than the runway. The expansion plan is currently under review by multiple departments, including the IAF.
Hindon Airport, operational since October 2019, was developed under the regional connectivity scheme and uses the Hindon airbase runway, while passengers board from an adjacent terminal. In an advisory meeting in February, officials raised concerns about traffic congestion, signage improvements, and last-mile connectivity.
Located 25 km from Delhi, the airport is accessible via the Hindon elevated road, Anand Vihar–Mohan Nagar link road, and Delhi Metro. By June 2025, the airport will also gain direct connectivity to the Sahibabad RRTS station, enabling seamless travel between Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut.
