New Delhi: Hindon Airport, located next to a strategic Air Force Station (AFS) at Ghaziabad within the National Capital Region (NCR), on Saturday opened its doors to a full-service civilian airline, run by the Air India Express.
A Boeing 737 aircraft, operated by Ministry of Civil Aviation, under the Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme, landed at the air base from Kolkata and then took off for Goa.
Until now, Hindon Airport had flights operated only by Bengaluru-based regional carrier Star Air to Karnataka’s Kalaburagi and Hubli, three and four times a week, respectively.
UDAN offers cheap air connectivity to the common man of India by putting Indian Air Force (IAF) bases to dual use and activating Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) at remote locations.
Ghaziabad, located at the periphery of northwest Uttar Pradesh, will henceforth provide better connectivity to that region of the state and expand options for people living in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
“Aviation minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu was present at the airport for inauguration of this scheme that underscores exemplary civilian-military coordination. Hindon is a highly advanced air base and has the capacity to handle such flights. This will go a long way to decongest air traffic in the NCT,” a Ministry of Defence (MoD) official said, adding that Hindon has the capacity to handle diverse air traffic.
Apart from being a strategic IAF base, home to the Veiled Vipers — the first squadron of C-130J strategic transport aircraft of the IAF — AFS Hindon is also used for VVIP movement.
Hindon, spread across 10.25 square kilometres, is the largest air base in Asia. It has catered to Presidents and Prime Ministers of India for decades, handling their special flights. The air base also provides air cover over the national capital.
Last year, ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina landed at the Hindon air base after fleeing her country.
“Adequate security measures have been taken to ensure the smooth operation of civilian flights at the air base. There is a separate terminal for civilian passengers. The Base’s primary role will not be affected by these operations,” the Defence ministry official said.
