Delhi High Court seeks Centre's response on Delhi Airport's plea against commercial flights from Hindon

The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice to the Central government on a plea filed by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the operator of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), challenging the government's decision to permit commercial flights from Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad..Justice Sachin Datta, who heard the case, directed the government to file its response within three weeks and posted the case for further consideration on April 28.“Issue notice. Let response be filed in three week, rejoinder two weeks there after. List the matter on April 28,” the Court directed..Hindon Airport, primarily a military airbase, has been opened for civilian use under the government's Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN). The terminal, operated by the Airports Authority of India, spans 22,050 square meters and can handle up to 300 passengers per hour. Facilities include eight check-in counters and two conveyor belts.Air India Express started commercial operations from Hindon Airport on March 1, 2025. The airline now offers direct flights to several destinations, including Kolkata, Bengaluru, Goa, and Jammu.The introduction of these services is expected to alleviate congestion at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and provide a convenient alternative for travelers from Ghaziabad, Noida, East Delhi and surrounding regions. IGIA handled 73.6 million passengers in 2024 but incurred a loss of $21 million due to increased government charges..DIAL, primarily owned by GMR Airports, approached the High Court arguing that the move to operate commercial flights from Hindon violates Indian aviation regulations which prohibit the establishment of a new airport within a 150-kilometer radius of an existing one unless significant passenger demand justifies it. The company claimed that allowing commercial operations at Hindon could undermine IGIA’s financial viability, especially at a time when the airport has been struggling with rising costs..Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for DIAL, argued that Union of India could permit the opening of a new airport only if the existing airport has reached its saturation point in terms of passenger capacity, there are no more slots for airlines and the new airport would not hit the existing airport financially.The present case do no satisfy these requirements, he said. He urged the Court to pass an interim order restraining operations at Hindon. .Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General Raghavendra Shankar opposed the plea. Mehta told the Court that operations have already commenced and passengers have already made bookings. Thus, it will prejudice the general public if any interim order is passed, he contended.The Court issued notice to the Central government but did not pass any interim order..Advocate Anjana Gosain represented the Director General of Civil Aviation.