Chandigarh | Aviation & Infrastructure
Despite being the capital region for Punjab and Haryana and a key gateway for Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh International Airport continues to have limited international air connectivity, forcing thousands of passengers to depend on Delhi for long-haul travel.
Now, airport authorities are attempting to change that.
Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, operated by Chandigarh International Airport Limited (CHIAL), has introduced a new support framework aimed at making international operations commercially viable for airlines considering overseas routes from Chandigarh.
According to officials familiar with the development, the airport has offered financial and operational relief measures to airlines, including concessions on landing charges, parking fees, ground handling support and joint route promotion. The intent is to lower the initial risk airlines face when launching new international sectors from non-metro airports.
At present, Chandigarh has direct air links to only a limited number of overseas destinations, despite consistent passenger demand for routes to Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Travel industry data shows that a large section of passengers from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal still travel via Delhi to access international flights.
One of the key structural challenges, aviation experts point out, is the absence of Point of Call (PoC) status, which is required for foreign airlines to operate scheduled international services under bilateral agreements. Without this designation, global carriers are unable to directly deploy aircraft on Chandigarh routes.
Elected representatives from the region have raised the issue with the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, urging that Chandigarh be granted PoC status to unlock its full international potential.
Airport officials maintain that infrastructure is not a limiting factor and that the facility is capable of handling increased international traffic. On the domestic front, Chandigarh airport already connects to more than 40 Indian cities, underlining the strength of its catchment area.
Whether the new incentive-driven approach translates into sustained international routes will depend on regulatory approvals, airline confidence and policy follow-through in the coming months.