Ahmedabad: The city is making preparations for the upcoming World Cup final at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) airport, expecting a surge in passenger traffic in the coming days. In light of the anticipated influx of travellers returning from vacations and the cricket final scheduled for November 19, the airport has issued an advisory, urging passengers to arrive early for their flights.

To facilitate smooth transit, the airport has implemented a standby system with flexible resource allocation based on passenger load, and all terminal and landside teams are on alert. Additionally, an announcement has been made regarding the closure of airspace for 45 minutes on Sunday from 1.25 pm to 2.10 pm for an air display by the Indian Air Force, with passengers duly informed.

12 Additional Flights Added to Accommodate Sunday Rush

To manage the anticipated surge in passenger traffic on Sunday, especially due to the World Cup finals, an additional 12 flights will be introduced for Ahmedabad. Insider information suggests that the heightened demand for flights is expected primarily from Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, resulting in higher fares, particularly on Sunday morning, given that the match kicks off at 2 PM.

This increase in both fare prices and passenger movement is influenced by the World Cup final coinciding with the conclusion of the Diwali vacation. Many vacationers from Ahmedabad are likely to return on Sunday, aligning with the reopening of schools and businesses on Monday. The airport is gearing up for the potential movement of at least a hundred chartered flights, and sources indicate that Ahmedabad airport has parking space for 53 aircraft. Anticipating a higher influx of flights on Sunday, the airport authorities have proactively informed other airports like Vadodara, Rajkot, and Surat, notifying them of possible requests for flight parking, whether related to the World Cup or other reasons.