Ghaziabad/NCR – July 20, 2025 — Low-cost carrier IndiGo (6E) officially began flight operations today from Hindon Airport (HDO) in Ghaziabad. Flagged off by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, this marks IndiGo as the second airline—after Air India Express—to operate at the NCR-based facility.
📍 Nine Destinations—Major Connectivity Push
IndiGo will connect Hindon to nine key cities:
- Ahmedabad
- Bengaluru
- Chennai
- Goa
- Indore
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
- Patna
- Varanasi
These links are supported with around 70 weekly flights, including daily services on most routes. Bengaluru sees multiple daily departures, while routes like Chennai and Mumbai have slightly lighter service.
🏗️ UDAN & Infrastructure: A Regional Aviation Milestone
- The expansion forms part of the UDAN scheme, aiming to enhance regional and tier-II/III city connectivity. A modified version targeting 120 new routes and 4 crore additional passengers over the next decade was highlighted in the 2025–26 Union Budget.
- Since its 2019 inception under a ₹50 crore investment, Hindon’s passenger traffic has surged from 8,000 to over 80,000 annually—a tenfold jump, according to the minister.
🏢 Terminal Surge & Future Plans
- Hindon’s civil terminal, originally built for 300 pph (passengers per hour), now handles up to 500 pph due to expanded services.
- The minister acknowledged it “feels like a railway station” at times, calling for at least 9 more acres, 770 m² terminal expansion, additional check-in counters, and apron bays. Land has been identified in Sikandarpur to support this.
🌐 Strategic Advantage for NCR Travelers
- Hindon offers a viable alternative to IGI Delhi, serving commuters from Ghaziabad, Noida, East/Central Delhi, and Western Uttar Pradesh with lower congestion and quicker access.
- The airport supports multiple RCS airlines—including Star Air, FlyBig, and Air India Express—operating 22 routes including regional and metro links.
💬 Industry & Airline Response
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers emphasized the enhanced convenience for NCR travelers and highlighted the carrier’s commitment to strengthening regional infrastructure. The airline’s statement reiterates its regional expansion strategy, complementing its hub at IGI Delhi.