Air India Express is set to be the pioneering airline to operate from two airports within the Delhi-NCR region, with the introduction of its new flights from Hindon Airport commencing on March 1, 2025.
Air India Express has revealed the inclusion of Hindon Airport in Ghaziabad to its expanding network to enhance connectivity within the National Capital Region (NCR). The airline will initiate services from Hindon, providing direct flights to Bengaluru, Goa, and Kolkata starting March 1, 2025.
Air India Express flight schedule from Hindon Airport
- Hindon to Bengaluru: Departure at 15:45, Arrival at 18:40 (Daily except Saturday)
- Bengaluru to Hindon: Departure at 12:40, Arrival at 15:15 (Daily except Saturday)
- Hindon to Goa: Departure at 10:30, Arrival at 13:15 (Daily)
- Goa to Hindon: Departure at 14:00, Arrival at 16:40 (Daily except Saturday)
- Hindon to Kolkata: Departure at 17:20, Arrival at 19:40 (Daily except Saturday)
- Kolkata to Hindon: Departure at 07:10, Arrival at 09:30 (Daily)
Air India Express new flights’ fares
The airline is presenting attractive inaugural fares, beginning at Rs 4,400 for Hindon-Kolkata, Rs 4,900 for Hindon-Goa and Goa-Hindon, Rs 5,500 for Kolkata-Hindon, Rs 6,000 for Bengaluru-Hindon, and Rs 6,200 for Hindon-Bengaluru. Reservations for these new flights can already be made through Air India Express’ website, airindiaexpress.com, as well as various major booking platforms.
First airline to operate from two airports in Delhi-NCR
This expansion positions Air India Express as the first airline in India to operate from two airports within the same metropolitan area. The airline will provide services from two airports in the NCR – Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and Hindon Airport (HDO), offering travelers more choices and improved convenience.
Alongside its operations at Hindon, Air India Express maintains over 320 weekly flights from Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, connecting 17 domestic and four international destinations, which include Bahrain, Dammam, Muscat, and Sharjah.
The new service aims to provide faster access for those traveling to and from Bengaluru, Goa, and Kolkata, especially benefiting passengers from western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, including cities such as Bareilly, Dehradun, Meerut, and Saharanpur.
Hindon has served as a crucial Air Force base for the Indian Air Force, functioning as the primary airbase surrounding Delhi. The airbase is situated in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, on the eastern side of Delhi (in contrast to the Indira Gandhi Airport, which is located in the South West). The airbase received a civil terminal only in 2019 when expansion at IGI Airport became challenging.
Hindon Airport was established to enhance regional air connectivity flights under the RCS scheme, and currently, only flybig and Star Air operate from this airport. Flybig utilizes their Twin Otters to connect to Bathinda, Ludhiana, and Dehradun, while Star Air offers flights to Nanded, Kishangarh, and Adampur.
The airline is also eager to enhance air travel accessibility for a broader demographic, catering to aspiring travelers from nearby regions, with the intent of improving regional connectivity and making air travel more convenient for individuals in these areas.
“Hindon offers a more economical alternative for airlines, particularly budget carriers, with significantly broader time slots available,” sources indicated.
Currently, Hindon accommodates UDAN flights operated by Star Air. The Air India Express flights will be conducted from the civil enclave managed by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) at Hindon, which is an air force station.
Air India marks three years since its transition to privatisation.
As a subsidiary of the Tata group, Air India celebrates three years since its transfer to the Tata group on January 27, 2025. The Tata group secured the bid for Air India in October 2021 and officially took over the airline in January 2022. Although the move towards privatisation sparked optimism for the struggling airline, the journey thus far has been a blend of achievements and hurdles. Here, we delve into the successes and setbacks of Air India since its reversion to its original proprietors, the Tatas.
Network Reconfiguration & Growth
The past year experienced a notable acceleration through a multifaceted strategy. This included reallocating certain routes and flights to Air India Express, the initial deployment of the A350, and most significantly, reorganizing the network following the merger with Vistara.
The network reconfiguration involves establishing two banks of flights on routes where Air India and Vistara operated in tandem, along with modifications to flights to Australia, making them the quickest option from Sydney and Melbourne to Frankfurt. This reorganization also enhances connectivity to London in several aspects. Furthermore, the emphasis has shifted back to Delhi, reinforcing its status as a hub as some flights were transferred from Mumbai to Delhi.
Aircraft Acquisitions
In 2023, the airline made a bold commitment by placing an order for 470 aircraft with Airbus and Boeing, which was further increased by an additional 100 planes last year with Airbus. This order clearly signaled its intentions regarding expansion and global aspirations. The airline has also begun investing in the broader ecosystem by establishing a training academy in Gurugram, followed by the acquisition of trainer aircraft and the development of a training facility in Amravati, Maharashtra, which is anticipated to commence operations later this year.
Consolidations
The group initiated operations with four airlines, including one formed in partnership with AirAsia Bhd and Singapore Airlines, along with the two acquired entities, Air India and Air India Express. Last year, it streamlined these into two by merging the rebranded AIX Connect into Air India Express and Vistara into Air India. This consolidation also allowed Singapore Airlines to acquire a 25.1% stake in Air India, making Air India Express its wholly owned subsidiary.
The merger has fortified the group, making it more focused than ever before. Singapore Airlines’ expertise in managing two distinct brands will prove invaluable in steering both Air India and Air India Express while fostering cooperation between the two over time.
Under Tata’s leadership, Air India has taken significant steps to improve the customer experience. From overhauled in-flight menus showcasing gourmet offerings to refurbished aircraft interiors, the airline has aimed to align its service standards with international benchmarks. The reintroduction of premium economy on select routes has also broadened its appeal to a diverse range of passengers.
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