Regular flight services began on Sunday, 12 July 2026, from the new terminal building of Jodhpur Airport, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi had dedicated to the nation on 4 July. On the first day of operations, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat sent off the first flight's passenger, Chandraveer Singh, presenting him a ticket and a welcome kit along with his good wishes.
Passengers arriving on the first flight were given a warm welcome at the new terminal in keeping with Rajasthani tradition. They were greeted with captivating folk performances by Langa-Manganiyar artists, an auspicious band and bouquets. To make the historic occasion memorable, Shekhawat cut a cake along with the passengers.
Speaking to the media, Shekhawat said that for the past 12 years continuous efforts had been made to modernise Jodhpur Airport and build the new terminal, and that despite many challenges and obstacles the resolve had now been fulfilled. He described the start of regular flight services from the terminal dedicated by the Prime Minister on 4 July as a historic achievement for Jodhpur and the entire Marwar region, adding that regular services had begun from 12 July exactly as promised at the inauguration. Operations beginning at sunrise, he said, symbolised that Jodhpur had entered a new era of modern civil aviation facilities.
Compared with 2014, the number of passengers travelling through Jodhpur Airport has grown more than ten-fold, and aircraft operations have risen roughly ten-fold. Jodhpur is now air-connected with most major cities of the country, and its connectivity widens further during the winter tourism season. Shekhawat also noted Jodhpur's parallel progress in rail and road infrastructure, including new rail services, modern railway infrastructure, four-lane roads, an elevated road and a bypass. City MLA Atul Bhansali, Rajendra Paliwal, officials of the Airports Authority of India, departmental officials and public representatives were present on the occasion.