When Will Chandigarh Airport Go International?

March 14, 2011: Will the flights from Chandigarh Airport ever go to the international destinations? It's a burning question that a lot of people have on their minds and yet the truth about it seems to be evading all. Let's uncover together the truth behind it once and for all.

What Exactly is the Issue?

Chandigarh is a major destination for travelers in the northern part of India. It already has a domestic airport, however several announcements have been made in the media over the last three years that it would be offering international flights soon. Much to the disappointment of the avid readers of such announcements, there are still no international flights operating at Chandigarh airport.

Chandigarh Airport Vs. International Airport

While a lot of people think that the current airport at Chandigarh will expand into an international airport, that is really not the case. The international airport is a separate venture and the current airport will eventually be integrated with the upcoming international airport. That means the current domestic airport will become a part of the bigger international airport. The international airport has just started its constructions and it may take another couple of years before it starts to operate. So unofficially speaking, let's wait until 2013 to really see something happening.

Chandigarh Airport Will Offer International Flights Soon

Chandigarh Airport has been in existence for several years offering domestic flights only. The old-fashioned airport had the worse looks than the local bus station of Chandigarh. Things are changing now. The airport is to have new jet-age looks with state-of-the-art facilities. The deadline to finish the renovations was the end of December 2010. If delayed, it should finish the renovations a couple of months late i.e. by February 2011. Thereafter the airport will invite various airlines to operate flights to countries in the Middle East like Dubai and the Far East countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore etc. The airport will be capable of offering only a few international flights. It will however open up doors to passengers who want to travel to Europe and North America via Dubai and other countries via the Far East. If all goes will, this may happen by June 2011 based on whether the interested airlines will decide to operate flights from Chandigarh.