By Krishika Dinesh Rathod
When the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) first inspected the site of the new airport, it didn’t just look at the shiny new terminals and runways. Its team listed nearly 200 hurdles around the area everything from tall trees to cell phone towers that needed to be cleared before the airport could officially welcome passengers. Test flights were conducted, and even the approach routes had to be tweaked to make sure every landing, and take-off would be safe.
Fast forward to today, and the mood around the airport is very different. Airlines are lining up to be part of its launch. After IndiGo and Akasa Air announced their plans earlier this year, Air India has now joined the list, signalling that the new airport is gearing up for a busy start. The enthusiasm reflects how quickly the aviation sector is betting on this hub to ease crowding at existing airports and bring in more travel options for passengers.
Air India Express, the budget arm of Air India, will lead the first phase. Starting out with 20 daily flights, it will connect 15 cities across India — giving travellers more direct links without having to pass through already jam-packed metros. But the plan doesn’t stop there. By mid-2026, the airline hopes to scale up to 55 flights every single day, including up to five international services. For many, this will be the first time the airport offers a direct window to destinations outside India.
Come winter 2026, Air India Express aims to cross another milestone with 60 daily flights. For passengers, that means more routes, fewer stopovers, and more convenience. For the region, it signals the beginning of a new aviation chapter — one that has been years in the making.