Hindon Airport is a civil enclave inside the Hindon Air Force Station in Ghaziabad, serving the eastern Delhi NCR as an alternative to Indira Gandhi International Airport. It has handled scheduled commercial flights since October 2019. Airlines and routes here change more often than at a major airport, so always check current listings before you plan around it, and carry a valid photo ID since security is run jointly with the Indian Air Force.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
If you live in Ghaziabad, Noida or east Delhi, Hindon can save you the long drive to IGI. Here is what the airport actually offers today, and what to expect when you get there.
Where is Hindon Airport and who runs it?
Hindon Airport sits inside the Hindon Air Force Station, one of the largest air bases in Asia, on the Delhi-Ghaziabad border. The civilian passenger terminal was inaugurated on 8 March 2019, jointly developed by the Indian Air Force and the Airports Authority of India under the government’s regional connectivity push, and the first scheduled commercial flight took off from here in October 2019. So while you are flying commercially, you are doing it from inside an active military base, which shapes a few things about how the airport works.
Which airlines fly from Hindon right now?
At the time of writing, scheduled commercial flights from Hindon are operated mainly by IndiGo, with Star Air also running regional connections, and smaller regional carriers have used Hindon for short routes in the past. Destinations have included cities such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai, alongside shorter regional routes to places like Ludhiana and Bathinda when those have been active.
This is the one thing to be careful about: route networks at Hindon have changed noticeably over the past few years, with carriers adding and dropping cities and smaller operators starting and stopping regional flights. Do not plan a trip around a specific route you read about online without checking live flight listings for your exact travel date, since what flies today may not fly in a few months.
How do you get to Hindon Airport?
Hindon Airport is easiest to reach for residents of Ghaziabad, Noida, Indirapuram, Vaishali and the eastern parts of Delhi, since it sits closer to these areas than IGI Airport does. It is accessible by road via the Delhi-Meerut Expressway and connecting arterial roads from Ghaziabad and Noida. Metro connectivity to the airport gate itself is limited, so most travellers arrive by car, taxi or cab booked in advance; plan your route with extra buffer time since approach roads near a defence installation can have checkpoints.
What is security and entry like at an air force base terminal?
Because Hindon remains under the overall control of the Indian Air Force even though AAI and CISF run the civilian side, expect a more formal entry process than at a typical city airport. Carry a valid government photo ID, since verification at the gate is stricter here than at purely civilian airports. Standard CISF security screening of passengers and baggage applies, as at any Indian airport, and photography of the base and its facilities beyond the designated civilian terminal area is not permitted. Arrive earlier than you would for a routine domestic flight to allow time for the extra gate checks.
What facilities can you expect inside?
The passenger terminal at Hindon is compact compared with a major metro airport, built primarily to serve regional connectivity routes, so do not expect the retail and lounge options of a hub airport. Basic amenities such as seating, washrooms and a few food and beverage counters are available, but keep expectations realistic for what is still a smaller, regional-scale terminal.
Common Questions
Is Hindon Airport the same as Delhi’s main airport?
No. Hindon (airport code HDO) is a separate civil enclave in Ghaziabad, distinct from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi. It was developed specifically to add capacity for the National Capital Region and to serve passengers in the eastern NCR.
Does Hindon have international flights?
No. Hindon Airport currently handles only domestic, regional scheduled flights. There are no international departures from this terminal.
How far is Hindon from central Delhi?
It is roughly comparable in distance to IGI Airport for many Delhi residents, but it is noticeably closer for anyone based in Ghaziabad, Noida or the eastern parts of the NCR. Actual drive time depends on traffic and your exact starting point, so check a live map estimate before you leave.
Can I check live flight schedules for Hindon?
Yes, airline websites and flight-tracking platforms list current Hindon departures and arrivals. Since routes here change relatively often, check close to your travel date rather than relying on older articles or lists.
Why does an air force base have civilian flights?
Hindon was opened to civilian traffic as part of a national push to use existing air force infrastructure for regional air connectivity, easing pressure on congested metro airports like Delhi’s. The civilian terminal operates under a joint arrangement between the Indian Air Force and the Airports Authority of India.
Do I need any special pass to enter Hindon’s civilian terminal?
No special pass beyond your flight ticket and a valid government photo ID is needed for the civilian terminal, but expect identity checks at the entry gate that are more thorough than at a standalone civilian airport, given the base’s defence status.
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Airlines and routes at Hindon Airport change frequently. Verify current flights, timings and entry rules with the airline or airport authority before you travel.
