Air India has commenced commercial operations to Ludhiana’s newly operational Halwara airport, becoming the first airline to launch services at the airport. The new route strengthens connectivity between Ludhiana and Delhi while also opening access to Air India’s wider international network.

The inaugural flight from Delhi landed at Halwara airport at 0703 Hrs, while the return service departed from Ludhiana at 0800 Hrs. Air India will now operate two daily flights on the Delhi–Ludhiana route using its A320 family aircraft.

The newly launched services have been scheduled to provide passengers with smoother onward connections through Delhi to Air India’s international destinations. Travellers flying from Ludhiana can conveniently connect to cities including London, Paris, Milan, Rome, and Birmingham through a single ticket and a unified baggage allowance system with through check-in facilities.

Passengers will also benefit from same-terminal transfers at Delhi airport, allowing easier movement between domestic and international flights.

The flight schedule for the Delhi–Ludhiana route includes:

• AI481: Delhi to Ludhiana (Halwara) – Departure: 05:55 | Arrival: 07:05 | Daily
  
• AI482: Ludhiana (Halwara) to Delhi – Departure: 07:55 | Arrival: 09:10 | Daily
  
• AI483: Delhi to Ludhiana (Halwara) – Departure: 12:55 | Arrival: 14:10 | Daily
  
• AI484: Ludhiana (Halwara) to Delhi – Departure: 14:40 | Arrival: 15:55 | Daily

With the launch of operations at Halwara airport, Air India continues to expand its domestic network while strengthening connectivity between regional cities and international destinations.

Bookings for Air India’s Ludhiana flights are now open across all channels, including the airline’s website, mobile app, and travel partners worldwide.

Booking.com has unveiled its summer travel insights for 2026, highlighting a clear shift in how Indian travellers are planning their holidays. Defined as the “Era of You,” the report points to a growing preference for personalised, intention-led journeys over traditional checklist travel.

This summer, travellers are increasingly choosing destinations that align with their individual interests, with a strong focus on comfort, accessibility, and meaningful experiences. Domestic travel continues to dominate, with a diverse mix of destinations shaping itineraries across the country.

High-altitude “coolcation” spots such as Ooty, Darjeeling, Munnar, and Manali remain in demand as travellers seek respite from rising temperatures. At the same time, spiritual destinations like Rishikesh and Varanasi are seeing a notable rise in popularity, reflecting increased interest in faith-led and introspective travel.

Urban and cultural destinations are also witnessing renewed traction, with cities like Jaipur and Udaipur climbing search rankings. Meanwhile, coastal favourites such as Goa and Puducherry continue to attract travellers looking for relaxed seaside getaways.

Among the most searched domestic destinations for the summer period are Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Chennai, and Hyderabad—indicating a balanced mix of metro travel and leisure escapes.

On the international front, Indian travellers are increasingly looking east, with Asia emerging as a preferred region. Destinations such as Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Ubud dominate search trends. Japan, in particular, is witnessing a surge, with Tokyo leading the list and cities like Osaka and Kyoto rapidly climbing in popularity.

While European cities such as London and Paris continue to feature among top choices, the broader trend reflects a shift toward destinations offering a mix of culture, cuisine, shopping, and convenience.

Another key insight is the growing demand for alternative accommodations. Travellers are increasingly exploring homestays, guest houses, apartments, and villas, seeking flexibility, privacy, and options that align with varied travel needs, whether for families, groups, or solo journeys.

Commenting on the trend, Santosh Kumar, Regional Head South Asia at Booking.com, noted that travellers are becoming more mindful and strategic, choosing destinations that reflect the experiences they value most. He added that the company continues to focus on simplifying the travel journey by integrating flights, stays, transport, and experiences into a seamless ecosystem.

Overall, the data underscores a broader evolution in travel behaviour, where personalisation, purpose, and convenience are shaping how Indians explore both domestic and international destinations.

Air India has announced a new interline partnership with WestJet, aimed at expanding travel options between India and North America. The collaboration allows passengers to access more than 30 destinations across Canada and the United States through key gateways like Toronto and Vancouver.

With this partnership, travellers can now book single-ticket itineraries that combine Air India and WestJet flights. This ensures a smoother journey with coordinated baggage handling and a more streamlined travel experience.

Passengers flying into Toronto or Vancouver with Air India can connect further on WestJet to 17 cities across Canada and 14 destinations in the United States. These include major cities such as Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Las Vegas, among others.

Additionally, cities like Halifax, Calgary, and St. John’s can also be accessed through Air India’s European gateways, including Amsterdam (Schiphol), Paris (Charles de Gaulle), London (Heathrow), and London (Gatwick), offering more flexibility in travel routes.

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “Canada continues to be a key market for Air India, driven by strong people-to-people ties and increasing trade between our nations. By partnering with WestJet, we are making travel across North America more accessible and effortless for our guests, with coordinated baggage handling, single-ticket convenience, and a far wider choice of destinations.”

John Weatherill, Executive Vice-President and Chief Commercial Officer, the WestJet Group, said: “By bringing this interline agreement to life, we’re significantly expanding access between India and Canada, making it easier for our shared guests to seamlessly visit high-demand destinations across North America. This partnership aligns Air India’s long-haul strength with WestJet’s North American reach, creating meaningful new travel options and improving the end-to-end journey for travellers.”

Air India currently operates 17 weekly non-stop flights to Canada, including 10 weekly services to Toronto and 7 weekly services to Vancouver. The airline also runs 75 weekly flights to its European gateways, which further support connectivity to Canada through WestJet.

The new interline itineraries are now available for booking via Air India’s website, mobile app, and authorised travel agents worldwide, making it easier for travellers to plan seamless journeys across continents.