The Chandigarh International Airport (CHIAL) also known as Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport is on the verge of a big expansion in global connectivity. According to recent announcements, CHIAL is preparing to launch four new international routes in the near future.
As per the plan shared by airport officials, the new routes are expected to connect Chandigarh with these international destinations:
Bangkok (Thailand)
Malaysia (country / likely a major city such as Kuala Lumpur)
London (United Kingdom)
Singapore (city-state)
This move reflects a concerted push by CHIAL and associated authorities to unlock international access for the tricity region (Chandigarh–Mohali–Panchkula) and neighbouring areas historically underserved in terms of direct global air connectivity.
✨ Why This Matters Key Opportunities & Expected Benefits
• Strong Demand & Strategic Location
CHIAL reportedly handles around 4.2 million passengers annually.
The increasing air-traffic demand, both for passenger travel and cargo, reportedly drove the decision to propose new international routes.
The new routes could significantly improve connectivity for business travellers, NRIs, IT professionals, and students from Punjab, Haryana and nearby states. As some local industrialists and IT-sector stakeholders have already pointed out, many have global clients or partners having a nearby international airport with direct routes will save time, cost and improve ease-of-travel.
• Boost to Trade, Exports & Cargo Movement
Apart from passenger travel, the airport’s cargo operations have seen a sizable increase recently. According to the sources, domestic cargo traffic has risen by nearly 65% compared to the previous period.
With international routes, cargo operations could expand to international export/import potentially benefiting local industries, producers, exporters in Punjab, and regional businesses. This could spur exports and global trade for products from the region.
• Regional Growth, Tourism & Ease for Travellers
Direct flights to popular global destinations like Bangkok, Singapore, and London will open up international tourism, educational travel, business visits without requiring a transit via Delhi or other hubs.
For the diaspora living abroad (especially in UK, Southeast Asia), the new routes can provide direct, convenient access to home increasing the appeal of the region as a travel hub.
For students and migrants from Punjab/Haryana heading abroad for education or employment, direct connectivity simplifies travel logistics significantly.
What’s the Current Status & What’s Pending
The proposal for four new international flights has been officially submitted by CHIAL, and discussions are reportedly ongoing with multiple airlines. Airport management is considering giving cash incentives to airlines including possible waivers on landing charges, night-parking fees, cargo-handling costs and marketing support to encourage them to begin operations.
As of now, CHIAL runs only two international flights (to Dubai and Abu Dhabi) besides a large number of domestic flights.
According to media reports from late October 2025, CHIAL’s 2025–26 winter schedule did not yet include any new international destinations.
One challenge remains: CHIAL currently lacks full “point-of-call” status under the bilateral agreements needed for foreign carriers a status that enables scheduled direct flights. This is a regulatory hurdle that needs to be resolved before the proposals can be operationalized.
🧑💼 Stakeholder Perspectives & Institutional Signals
According to the coverage, the push for expansion is coming from both demand side (passengers, local industry, exporters) and supply side (airport authorities, regional governments).
The airport authorities appear keen to make CHIAL an attractive hub — they are ready to offer incentives and concessions to airlines to start international operations.
There is also mention of growing cargo traffic — perhaps signalling that CHIAL is positioning itself not just as a passenger hub but as a combined passenger-cargo gateway.
What Needs to Happen — Challenges Before Takeoff
| Challenge / Precondition | Description / Importance |
|---|---|
| Approval of new international routes by regulators / authorities | International operations require bilateral clearances, “point-of-call” status, compliance with international aviation norms. Without those, flights cannot start. |
| Airline commitment & viability | Airlines need to find the routes commercially viable — consistent passenger demand, cargo demand, and profitability. Incentives can help, but sustainability is key. |
| Infrastructure & ground support readiness | With increased international traffic, airport must ensure customs/immigration, cargo handling, passenger amenities, night-time operations (if flights are scheduled in midnight/early morning) are up to standard. |
| Cargo- and trade-partner readiness (for trade routes) | For cargo-based trade, exporters/importers need supply chains, cold-chains (if perishable), export/import support, compliance — else cargo route advantages might not fully materialize. |
📈 What This Means for the Region — Economic and Social Impacts
Economic growth & trade: Enhanced connectivity can open doors for local industries (textiles, manufacturing, agriculture, small businesses) to access global markets more easily.
Business & IT growth: For IT firms in and around Mohali/Chandigarh, easier international access can help in servicing clients abroad, attracting investment, and improving ease of travel for employees.
Tourism & diaspora travel: People from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and northern India traveling abroad — for studies, work or leisure — will benefit from better connectivity. Return travelers (diaspora, NRIs) may visit more often, boosting local tourism, hospitality, and services.
Cargo logistics and exports: With cargo operations scaling up, traders and exporters might get quicker access to global supply chains — meaning local producers could get better reach, competitive edge, and possibly economic upliftment.
Regional connectivity hub potential: CHIAL could evolve into a major hub for Northern India — reducing reliance on Delhi/Amritsar airports for international travel, decongesting big airports, and distributing growth.
What to Watch — Upcoming Milestones & What to Follow
Regulatory approvals & bilateral clearances — Keep an eye on official announcements from CHIAL / Government of India / Aviation Ministry.
Confirmation of airline partnerships — Which airlines will operate the new routes, their frequency, aircraft type, fares, cargo capacity — key to understanding viability.
Updated flight schedule / winter 2025–26 schedule update — As of Oct 2025, the winter schedule didn’t include new international routes.
Infrastructure readiness & supporting services — Customs, immigration counters, cargo warehousing/handling, aerobridges, lounges, night-operations approval.
Tourism and trade response — How local businesses, exporters, NRIs, diaspora, travel agencies respond — whether demand justifies flights.
The proposed four-route international expansion for Chandigarh International Airport is a significant and promising development one that could reshape connectivity, trade, business, and global access for North India. For travellers, businesses, exporters, and the diaspora, it opens up many opportunities.
However as with all such projects the final outcome depends heavily on regulatory approvals, airline participation, infrastructure readiness, and sustained demand. If executed properly, CHIAL could emerge as a major international gateway, delivering real benefits to the region.
