Nearly nine years after its inauguration, Bathinda airport in Punjab’s southwest continues to face limited air connectivity and low utilisation of its routes. Situated in Virk Kalan village, around 30 kilometres from Bathinda city, the airport currently operates only two routes—Delhi and Hindon in Noida.While the Delhi route has shown relatively better passenger numbers, the Hindon route records low occupancy, according to official data. Alliance Air runs the Delhi service with a 48-seater aircraft and occasionally deploys a 72-seater when demand increases. Flybig, which operates a 19-seater aircraft on the Hindon route, has consistently reported average occupancy of less than 50 per cent.The airport earlier had direct flights to Delhi and Jammu, with occupancy levels averaging around 80 per cent. However, these services were discontinued when Alliance Air, then under Air India, ceased operations in 2019 after the end of its contract. Flights to Delhi stopped in November 2020, while the Jammu route was suspended a year earlier.Operations between Delhi and Bathinda resumed in October 2023 after Air India Limited, now under the Tata Group, took over Alliance Air. However, the Jammu route remains inactive, with no other airline having stepped in so far.Authorities at Bathinda airport believe the Malwa region holds strong potential for aviation expansion. They have noted rising demand, particularly for flights to religious destinations such as Jammu, Nanded, and Ayodhya. The presence of major institutions like AIIMS and the Central University of Punjab in Bathinda further underscores the need for improved connectivity.Efforts are underway to engage with airlines to expand services. The airport administration is in discussions with Indigo to explore flight options connecting Bathinda with Delhi, Jammu, Nanded, and Ayodhya. Local political representatives, including Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, are reportedly supporting efforts to enhance regional connectivity and encourage private airlines to operate in the area.Plans are also in place to formally approach Indigo and other carriers, urging them to assess and act upon the growing demand for flights from Bathinda.News source: Hindustan Times