In Video: People wearing ‘I Love Surat’ caps, central minister Tushar Chaudhary cutting cake and flagging off the flight, BJP MP CR Patil speaks with media, Union minister Tushar Chaudhary speaking with media, BJP workers welcome new air connectivity, Congress workers escort Tushar Chaudhary amid crowds of BJP workers, showdown between BJP and Congress workers outside the airport

By Tejash Modi, 1 February 2012

The citizens of Surat today received two good gifts in the area of aviation. First the much awaited Spice Jet flight took off today connecting the city of Surat with Mumbai, Delhi and Mangalore. Second good news is that the DGCA has approved night landing facility at Surat airport. This makes night landing possible at Surat airport.

Private air operator Spice Jet today operated its first flight from Surat at 8.05 am, the time when 189-seater Boeing 737 aircraft from Delhi landed at Surat airport. The plane left Surat airport for Mumbai at 8.35 am. It arrived back at Surat at 3.20 pm from Mangalore via Mumbai and departed for Delhi at 4.00 pm

BJP and Congress workers were present in large number at the airport. Members of Facebook club who fought online battle for better air connectivity to Surat were also present here. They offered chocolate, fafda, locha-khaman and other Surti varieties of food to welcome the first flight. Some members of this club were wearing ‘I love Surat’ caps. Spice Jet’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director were also present on this occasion. A cake cutting ceremony was held to mark the maiden flight.

The flight schedule:

-Flight SG 151 will leave Delhi at 6.25 am and will arrive at Surat airport at 8.05 am.
-After 25 minute halt it will leave for Mumbai at 8.35 am and will reach Mumbai at 9.20 am after 45 minute flight.
-After over one hour halt at Mumbai, it will leave for Mangalore at 10.25 am, and reach there at 11.55 am.
-From Mangalore, flight SG 152 will leave for Mumbai at 12.25 am and arrive at Mumbai airport at 13.55.
-At 14.35 it will leave Mumbai and arrive at Surat airport at 15.20.
-From Surat, the flight will leave for Delhi at 16.05 and reach Delhi at 17.45.

🗃️ This story is from our archives and may contain outdated information.