On record
The ₹25-crore civil terminal was inaugurated in December 2016 for a UDAN-scheme Delhi route that ran with over 90% occupancy, yet commercial operations were completely suspended for more than three years from 2020 to September 2023. Service has never stabilized since: a Ghaziabad route added in 2023 was itself suspended in September 2025 after the operating airline was acquired by another carrier, leaving the ₹25-crore terminal running a reduced, uncertain schedule.
The official record states: "The multi-year 2020-2023 shutdown was attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic; the 2025 Ghaziabad route suspension followed FlyBig's acquisition by another airline, with officials citing "uncertainty about when this route would resume.""
“Ninety percent full flights, suspended for three years anyway. Demand was not the issue.”— Blunderlust Editorial Desk
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathinda_Airport
- https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/bathinda/four-months-on-bathinda-airport-operates-lone-flight-to-delhi/
Visitor reviews Satire
“Flights to Delhi ran over ninety percent full and were suspended anyway for three years.”
“Twenty-five crore of civil terminal beside an air force station, opening and closing with whichever airline last got bought.”
“The Ghaziabad route lasted until its airline was acquired, and nobody can say when or if it returns.”