Rajkot: The government only provides an enabling environment for the operation of international flights and has no direct role in the start of flights, for the commencement of international flights, the private airlines take commercial decisions based on traffic demand, the Central Government stated in the Rajya Sabha in reference to a question regarding international flights from Hirasar airport in Rajkot.

The Rajkot International Airport has been developed in Hirasar, with the government incurring a cost of Rs. 1,240 crore on the project by June 2024. However, no international flights are operating from the airport as of now. When asked about the reason for this, the Union government stated that it has no direct role in the operation of flights, which is determined by demand, economic viability, and other factors.

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, stated – “Rajkot (Hirasar) International Greenfield Airport has been developed by Airports Authority of India and is already operational with flight connectivity to Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Goa, Mopa, and Pune. Out of the estimated project cost of Rs. 1405 crore, expenditure of approximately Rs. 1240 crore has been incurred on the airport development at the end of June, 2024.”

“Currently, there is no scheduled international flight from Rajkot airport. Indian designated carriers are free to mount scheduled operations to/from any International/ Customs airport to foreign destinations under the ambit of bilateral Air Service Agreements (ASAs) concluded by India with foreign countries. The Government only provides an enabling environment for the operation of international flights and has no direct role in the start of flights as the commencement of international flights by Indian carriers from any point in India is purely a commercial decision of scheduled airlines based on traffic demand, airports flight handling capacity, safety infrastructure and economic viability of the route.” the minister further stated. DeshGujarat