Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched the civilian terminal at the Air Force Base here that would be Karnataka's new link to the national capital.
The civilian terminal at the Hindon Air Force Base will operate flights under the government's regional connectivity scheme UDAN and link Kalaburgi, Hubbali, Kannur, Nasik, Shimla, Jamnagar, Faizabad and Pithoragarh.
Star Air of the Sanjay Ghodawat Group plans to operate flights from Hubbali, Kalaburgi and Jamnagar to Hindon, which is located about 25 km from Delhi.
The civilian terminal at Hindon will operate flights till 2022 when the expansion of the Delhi International Airport is expected to be completed.
Built at a cost of Rs 40 crore, the terminal building is spread across 5425 sq km and has the capacity to handle 300 passengers per hour.
IndiGo Airlines plans to operate flights to Kannur and Nasik, while Heritage Aviation has won the rights to operate flights to Shimla and Pithoragarh.
Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister V K Singh, UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey were present at the inauguration ceremony of the civilian terminal of the Hindon Air Force Base developed by Airports Authority of India and Government of Uttar Pradesh.