The steady rise in flights as well as passenger traffic has prompted the state-run Airports Authority of India (AAI) to commence planning for a major expansion of Hindon civil enclave, sources said.
According to sources, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is currently being prepared to chart the airport’s next phase of growth.
The proposed expansion is expected to significantly enhance the airport’s capacity and improve passenger facilities.
Speaking to media, sources said that the local administration has initiated the process of acquiring nearly nine hectares of land around the existing terminal to facilitate an expanded passenger area, additional check-in counters, and larger apron facilities.
Besides, a recent survey identified roughly 34,500 square metres of land required to create four new aircraft parking bays, thereby increasing the total from two to six.
The move, as per sources, is aimed at easing congestion and enabling the airport to handle more simultaneous flight operations.
However, the Hindon airfield — which primarily functions as an Indian Air Force base — continues to restrict commercial operations to daytime slots and currently lacks night-flying permissions.
Meanwhile, talks are underway with the Ministry of Defence to secure an additional aircraft bay and the necessary operational clearances.
“The Defence Ministry’s cooperation will be crucial to expanding the apron and optimising civilian flight schedules,” said a source familiar with the ongoing discussions.
In the meantime, passenger traffic continues to surge. Since the resumption of commercial flights, Hindon Airport has witnessed a sharp rise in usage, handling over 5,000 passengers daily across nearly 50 flights.
Additionally, data from the Ministry of Civil Aviation shows that in fiscal 2024, aircraft departures at Hindon increased by 137.9 per cent, while departing passengers surged by 184.6 per cent to nearly 84,000.
Earlier, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, during a recent inspection, acknowledged the pressing need for expansion.
He emphasised that additional land acquisition was not only desirable but essential to ensure passenger comfort and operational safety.
Apart from easing congestion, the proposed expansion carries broader strategic significance. Located along the Delhi–Meerut Expressway corridor, Hindon offers a convenient alternative for travellers from eastern Delhi, Noida, and western Uttar Pradesh.
Furthermore, with Delhi’s main Indira Gandhi International Airport nearing saturation in both runway and slot capacity, Hindon is emerging as a vital sub-hub.
Notably, airlines such as IndiGo and Air India Express have already launched operations to nine destinations, underscoring the airport’s growing importance.
In addition, sources expect the completion of the DPR — within the next quarter — which will pave the way for tendering and subsequent construction.
Accordingly, sources estimate that once approvals and land handovers are completed, the creation of the new aircraft bays could take six to seven months.
