Exploring Flight Options From Bathinda Airport

Bathinda Airport, also known as Bhisiana Air Force Station, is located 20 kilometres southeast of Bathinda City in the Indian state of Punjab. The airport is primarily used for military purposes, but it also offers commercial flights to various destinations. As of 2018, the airport offers flights to Jammu and Delhi, with the latest addition being a weekly non-RCS flight to the latter. The airport has a 9,000-9,200-foot-long runway and a terminal building with basic facilities such as check-in counters, baggage handling, and waiting areas. The terminal can handle 100 passengers per hour and has a waiting area that can seat 30 people.

Bathinda Airport is 20km from the city

Bathinda Airport is located about 20 kilometres northwest of the city of Bathinda, near the village of Virk Kalan Bhatinda in the Indian state of Punjab. The airport is operated by the Indian Air Force and serves as a base for the Indian Air Force as well as commercial flights.

The airport covers an area of around 6,000 acres and has a single runway that is 9,000 feet long and 150 feet wide. It has a terminal building with basic facilities such as check-in counters, baggage handling, and waiting areas for passengers. The terminal can handle 100 passengers per hour, with a waiting area that can accommodate 30 people. The airport also features a VIP lounge, two check-in counters, a 30-seater security hold, and two conveyor belts.

The airport is located approximately 20 kilometres from the city centre, and the best way to get there is by taxi or private car. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Bhisiana village and then a taxi or auto-rickshaw to the airport. The nearest bus station is located 2 kilometres from the airport, and there are direct bus services operated by the PEPSU Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) to the city.

The airport is also accessible by rail, with the nearest railway station being Bulluana Railway Station at Ballauna, situated 9 kilometres south of the airport. The Bhatinda Railway Station provides connectivity to most major cities in India and is one of the biggest railway junctions in the country.

In terms of flight operations, Alliance Air was the only commercial airline operating flights from the airport to Delhi from 2016 until 2020. After a hiatus, FlyBig restarted flight operations in September 2023, offering flights to Ghaziabad and Dehradun.

The airport has a 9,000-9,200ft runway

Bathinda Airport, also known as Bhisiana Air Force Station, is located 16 to 20 kilometres from Bathinda City in the Indian state of Punjab. The airport is operated by the Indian Air Force and is primarily used for military purposes, but it also offers commercial flights. The airport covers an area of around 6,000 acres and has a single runway that is 9,000 to 9,200 feet long and 150 feet wide. This runway is suitable for aircraft of various sizes, including ATR 72-600 planes.

The length of the runway at Bathinda Airport is an important factor in ensuring safe take-off and landing operations for aircraft. The runway length allows for a variety of aircraft types to operate, enabling the airport to serve different destinations and meet varying passenger demands. It also provides flexibility in terms of aircraft selection for airlines, allowing them to optimise their operations based on factors such as passenger load, range, and fuel efficiency.

The runway at Bathinda Airport is equipped with the necessary lighting and navigation systems to facilitate safe aircraft operations during different weather conditions and varying levels of visibility. The airport's air traffic control, provided by the Indian Air Force, ensures efficient management of aircraft movements, maintaining the safety and punctuality of flights using the runway.

The length of the runway also contributes to the airport's capacity and ability to handle a certain volume of aircraft movements. With a runway of 9,000 to 9,200 feet, Bathinda Airport can accommodate a moderate number of aircraft movements, catering to the demand for commercial and military flights in the region.

In addition to the runway, Bathinda Airport also has a terminal building that offers facilities for both commercial and military passengers. The terminal building features check-in counters, baggage handling services, and waiting areas. The airport's infrastructure, including the runway and terminal, is maintained by the Airports Authority of India, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and providing a comfortable experience for travellers.

It has a terminal with basic facilities

Bathinda Airport, also known as Bhisiana Air Force Station, is located approximately 20 kilometres southeast of Bathinda City in the Indian state of Punjab. The airport is operated by the Indian Air Force and used primarily for military purposes, but it also facilitates commercial flights. The airport covers an area of around 6,000 acres and has a single runway, which is 9,000 feet long and 150 feet wide.

The terminal at Bathinda Airport offers basic facilities to passengers. The terminal building features a VIP lounge, two check-in counters, a 30-seat security hold, and two conveyor belts. The airport has a capacity of 100 passengers with a waiting area that can seat 30 people. Additionally, the terminal provides essential amenities such as seating, toilet facilities, drinking water, and a snack bar. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) maintains the terminal building, ensuring the comfort and needs of passengers are met.

The terminal at Bathinda Airport was inaugurated on 11 December 2016, along with the commencement of flights to Delhi operated by Alliance Air. This airline, a subsidiary of Air India, remains the sole operator of commercial flights from Bathinda Airport. The airport's proximity to the city and basic facilities make it a convenient option for travellers heading to or from Bathinda.

The Bathinda Airport terminal also provides baggage services, including baggage wrapping for added security and baggage trolleys for easy transport to the check-in counter. For those arriving by car, the airport offers car parking facilities, and car rental services are also available. Although the airport primarily serves military functions, these basic facilities cater to the needs of commercial passengers travelling through Bathinda Airport.

The airport is primarily used for military purposes

Bathinda Airport, also known as Bhisiana Air Force Station, is located approximately 20 kilometres southeast of Bathinda City in the Indian state of Punjab. The airport is operated by the Indian Air Force and is primarily used for military purposes, with only one airline—Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India—currently operating commercial flights.

The history of Bathinda Airport is rooted in its military origins. Built by the British in 1942 during World War II as a Royal Indian Air Force base, the airport transitioned to the control of the Indian Air Force after India's independence in 1947. Over the years, the airport has undergone upgrades and modernisation to enhance its facilities.

The airport covers an area of around 6,000 acres and features a 9,000-foot-long runway, capable of accommodating various aircraft types. The terminal building provides essential facilities such as check-in counters, baggage handling, and waiting areas for passengers. Basic dining options are also available.

While commercial flights do operate from Bathinda Airport, their availability is limited due to the airport's primary military function. Commercial flights are subject to operational constraints, and travellers are advised to check the flight timetable in advance to ensure convenience.

Alliance Air operates flights to Delhi from Bathinda Airport, providing connectivity to travellers seeking to reach the capital or connect to other destinations. The airline initially commenced operations with thrice-weekly flights between the two cities, utilising the ATR 72-600 aircraft.

Commercial flights are available

Commercial Flights from Bathinda Airport

Bathinda Airport, also known as Bhisiana Air Force Station, is located 20 kilometres southeast of Bathinda City in the Indian state of Punjab. The airport is operated by the Indian Air Force and primarily serves military purposes. However, commercial flights are available.

History

Bathinda Airport was constructed by the British in 1942 during World War II as a Royal Indian Air Force base. After India's independence in 1947, the Indian Air Force took over the airport. Since then, it has undergone numerous upgrades and modernisations to enhance its facilities.

Facilities

Although Bathinda Airport is primarily a military airport, it does cater to commercial passengers with facilities such as:

• Waiting areas
• Basic dining options
• Check-in counters
• Baggage handling
• Toilets
• Drinking water
• Baggage trolleys
• Snack bar
• Car parking
• Car rental

Commercial Flights

Currently, Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India, is the only airline operating commercial flights from Bathinda Airport. They offer flights to Delhi, with flights initially operating thrice weekly. An additional flight route between Jammu and Bathinda was introduced in 2018, operating seven days a week. A further non-RCS flight between Delhi and Bathinda was added in July 2018, operating once a week.

Frequently asked questions