After a gap of nearly five years, night flight operations between Bilaspur and Delhi are set to resume from May 3. The service will operate from Bilasa Devi Kevat Airport in Chhattisgarh, offering direct connectivity to the national capital during evening hours.

Weekly Schedule Fixed

According to the summer schedule, Alliance Air will operate the flight once a week, every Sunday. The aircraft will depart from Bilaspur at 6:45 pm and is expected to reach Delhi in approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Officials said the incoming flight will arrive in Bilaspur at 6:20 pm before departing for Delhi shortly after.

Airport Upgrade Milestone

The development follows a key infrastructure upgrade at Bilaspur airport. On February 6, 2026, the airport received night landing clearance after being upgraded from 3C-VFR to 3C-IFR category by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

This transition allows aircraft to operate under instrument flight rules, making night operations possible. Efforts to secure this upgrade had been ongoing since 2022.

Operations Background

Commercial flight services at Bilaspur airport began on March 1, 2021, when Alliance Air first landed at the facility. However, operations were limited to daylight hours due to the absence of night landing capabilities.

With the new clearance in place, the airport enters a new operational phase, aligning with broader efforts to improve regional air connectivity under national aviation policies.

Benefit for Travellers

The evening flight is expected to provide significant relief to passengers, particularly business travellers and government officials. The timing allows individuals to complete their work during the day and travel comfortably in the evening.

Officials indicated that cooler temperatures during evening hours will also help aircraft operate at full capacity. This reduces payload restrictions often faced during daytime heat, allowing more passengers to travel.

Demand for Expansion

Local aviation advocacy groups have welcomed the move but are pushing for further expansion. Representatives from the Air Services Public Struggle Committee have reiterated the demand for increasing flight frequency.

They have urged authorities to introduce an additional mid-week service, particularly on Wednesdays, to improve accessibility and flexibility for passengers.

Runway Limitation Issue

Despite the progress, infrastructure constraints remain a concern. Compared to Jagdalpur and Ambikapur, which have longer runways, Bilaspur’s runway is still relatively short.

Experts suggest that extending the runway to 1,800 metres would allow larger aircraft such as Bombardier Q400 and Embraer jets to operate from the airport, further enhancing connectivity.

Future Outlook Ahead

The launch of the Bilaspur–Delhi night flight marks a significant step in strengthening air connectivity in central India. It is expected to support economic activity, improve administrative mobility, and increase passenger convenience.

As per reports, authorities are monitoring passenger response and operational feasibility. If demand sustains, there is a possibility of increasing flight frequency and expanding routes in the future.