Busy with domestic flights, Surat airport not likely to have international flight soon

Surat: International flight service is not likely to start soon from Surat airport even after all linked facilities such as custom and immigration area in place.

The problem right now is lack of slots. Surat airport has single runway. It remains busy due to continuous traffic of domestic planes including six flights linked to Delhi, 3 to Hyderabad, 3 to Mumbai, 2 each to Bengaluru, Kolkata, Jaipur and Goa and 1 each to Udaipur and Jaisalmer.

While Air India Express has sought a slot to operate Surat – Sharjah flight three days a week post 9 pm, Spicejet has opposed this move as it will affect its Surat – Delhi flight which enjoys excellent occupancy.

It’s worth to mention here that Airport Authority has allocated Rs 353 crore for three projects of development of Surat airport. They include expansion of terminal building, apron and taxi way. Once a taxi way connected to runway is ready, Surat airport will have scope to accommodate more flights even during day-time.

DeshGujarat