Propelling the state into India’s aviation growth story
In the heart of India’s northern Every kilometre saved, every second reduced, and every passenger informed — that’s the measure of modern mobility. corridor, Haryana is scripting an ambitious aviation story that extends far beyond runways and terminals. With the tagline “महत्वाकांक्षा की उड़ान“, the state government is orchestrating a comprehensive civil aviation ecosystem that promises to redefine regional connectivity, Heli services, urban mobility, emergency medical service, aviation training, aerosports and industrial growth.
The Hisar aerotropolis: Centrepiece of aviation ambition
At the forefront of this transformation stands the Hisar Aerotropolis, spread across an impressive 7,200 acres. What will set Hisar Aerotropolis apart isn’t just its scale but its rapid evolution from a regional airstrip to an ecosystem that integrates aviation, multimodal logistics, with an industrial zone with aerospace and defence as thrust sectors.
The Hisar airport, India’s top 5 operational airports in terms of land area, became operational for domestic flights under the state VGF scheme when the first flight to Ayodhya was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 14th April 2025. The infrastructure is of international standards, with a 3,000 meter runway capable of handling Airbus A320 aircraft, CAT-II ILS / DVOR landing and navigation systems, 10 aircraft bays, five hangars, a new integrated terminal building spanning 41,624 square meters currently under construction, and with technical collaboration from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) the Hisar Airport is poised to serve 2.1 million passengers annually.
Connecting cities, enabling mobility
The true measure of Hisar Airport’s success lies in the connectivity it has unlocked. Following an MoU signed between the Government of Haryana and Alliance Air Aviation Ltd in June 2024, the airport now operates routes connecting Hisar with Delhi, Ayodhya, Chandigarh, and Jaipur under the state’s Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme, with Ahmedabad and Jammu sectors in the pipeline.
The passenger data tells a compelling story of growing adoption. Between April and September 2025, the Delhi Hisar Ayodhya route alone carried 4,320 passengers across various segments, while the Chandigarh Hisar route served 630 passengers in its initial months. These aren’t just statistics, they represent the success of an airport in bringing not just the cities but the opportunities closer; students accessing education institutions, medical patients getting specialised care, farmers open to new markets, and business leaders to new avenues.
A multi-airport strategy
Haryana’s vision extends beyond Hisar. The state operates six airports: Hisar, Bhiwani, Narnaul, Karnal, Pinjore, and Ambala. Each serves distinct purposes in a complementary network. While Hisar is the hub of commercial operations, smaller airstrips facilitate general aviation, pilot training, and aero sports activities.
The Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation (HICA) operates flying training institutes at Karnal and Pinjore, offering Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and Private Pilot License (PPL) programs, creating a pipeline of skilled aviators. Meanwhile, Narnaul has emerged as an aero sports hub, gaining national attention when an 85-year-old Indian woman completed a tandem skydive that was recorded in the Limca Book of Records.
The urban mobility nexus
Aviation infrastructure is increasingly recognised as critical urban mobility infrastructure, and Haryana’s approach demonstrates this understanding. The state’s aviation development intersects with urban planning in several dimensions:
First Mile and Last Mile Connectivity: Hisar Airport’s strategic location near National Highways NH 52 and NH 09 ensures seamless integration with road networks, and the planned cargo complex will help address logistics bottlenecks at the New Delhi Airport.
Economic Corridors: Strategically located next to the Hisar Airport, the 2,988-acre Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC), approved in August 2024 as part of the Amritsar–Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC), promises an investment potential of ₹32,417 crore and employment opportunities for 1.25 lakh youth across Haryana. The Hisar Aerotropolis will exemplify modern urban planning, where aviation infrastructure and economic zones will create a synergistic economic ecosystem.
Multi-Modal Integration: Strategically positioned between the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors (EDFC & WDFC), the IMC creates a logistics triangle connecting air, rail, and road freight networks, the hallmark of efficient multi-modal integration as envisaged in the National Logistics Policy.
Infrastructure investment and timeline
The new terminal building project, awarded to M/s Vensa Infrastructure Ltd. in August 2024 at a cost of ₹486.86 crore, is scheduled for completion by April 2027. The facility will feature 30 check-in counters, 10 customs and immigration counters, eight security lanes, three aero bridges, and provision for 250 car parking. The cargo building, currently under development, is expected to be operational by December 2025, strengthening air freight capabilities crucial for Haryana’s agricultural and industrial sectors.
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Looking ahead
Haryana Government is pursuing approval for an IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) nonvisual flight procedure using DVOR and other instruments, from DGCA for Hisar Airport, which will enable flight operations during night hours and adverse weather conditions, a critical enhancement for establishing reliable year-round operability.
Haryana’s civil connectivity aviation represents more and development than infrastructure expansion; it’s a comprehensive reimagining of the region’s aviation mobility. By integrating airports with industrial clusters, training institutes, cargo facilities, multimodal transport networks, and aerosports, the state is creating an aviation ecosystem that serves as both a mobility solution and an economic accelerator. As India urbanises and regional economies seek global connections, Haryana’s aviation blueprint offers a replicable model for transforming connectivity into prosperity, proving that when infrastructure takes flight, entire regions can soar.
Views expressed by: Shri Narhari Singh Banger, IAS Advisor Civil Aviation, Department of Civil Aviation (Government of Haryana).
