Sun Mar 02 15:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Hindon Air Base Welcomes First Air India Express Flight, Expanding NCR Air Travel Options
**Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh:** The Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad welcomed its first Air India Express flight today, significantly expanding air travel options for passengers in the National Capital Region (NCR), western Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The inaugural flight, a Boeing 737-8, arrived from Kolkata, marking the official commencement of Air India Express operations from Hindon.
The airline will now offer direct flights to Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Goa, becoming the first airline to operate from two airports in the NCR. Previously primarily a military airbase, Hindon is gradually opening to civil aviation under the government’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). While limited commercial operations existed previously, with Star Air offering flights to Kalburgi and Hubli, Air India Express’s entry is expected to drastically improve connectivity and provide passengers with more flight choices, previously reliant solely on the congested Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI)-operated Hindon terminal, catering to both scheduled and non-scheduled flights, offers a convenient alternative, particularly for residents of Ghaziabad, Noida, and surrounding areas who often face challenges securing slots at the Delhi airport. The 22,050 square meter terminal boasts eight check-in counters, two conveyor belts, and a capacity to handle 300 passengers per hour.
Initial booking figures are encouraging, with over 85% of seats sold on the inaugural flight. Competitive fares have been introduced for the new routes, starting at ₹4,400 for a one-way ticket to Kolkata, ₹4,900 to Goa, and ₹6,200 to Bengaluru.
The expansion of airline services at the Hindon airport, coupled with the anticipated opening of the Noida Jewar International Airport in late April or early May, promises a significant transformation of the air travel landscape in the NCR.
First Piper 