Ludhiana, April 2 -- Flight operations from Halwara airport near Ludhiana will commence on May 15 with bookings expected to open soon, officials said on Wednesday. Initial services will include two Air India flights connecting Ludhiana with Delhi, bringing to fruition a long-pending demand of over three decades. Bookings for the Delhi-Ludhiana-Delhi sector are expected to open shortly. Tickets are witnessing brisk demand even ahead of the official launch. The development has also sparked a political tussle, with leaders from both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staking claim for the achievement. Union minister of state for railways Ravneet Singh Bittu and Punjab cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora took to social media to announce the development, each highlighting their role in the project. Adding a symbolic touch to the occasion, Arora, along with his wife, has reportedly booked seats on the inaugural Delhi-to-Halwara flight scheduled for May 15. The operationalisation of Halwara airport is expected to provide a push to Ludhiana's industrial and commercial ecosystem. Improved air connectivity is likely to benefit exporters, industrialists, and entrepreneurs by reducing travel time and enhancing access to national markets. The move is also seen as a catalyst for tourism and overall economic growth in the region....