Vadodara: Air India Express may start Vadodara – Dubai flight service by the middle of 2025, which will be the first international flight from the city.

According to officials, Air India Express will be able to launch this service only after arrival of Boing 737 aircraft it has ordered. The delivery is long pending and likely to take place in the month of March 2025. The other arrangements including the appointment of custom officers (who will take charge once the direct international flight service starts) and training to immigration staff are completed.

The new Integrated Terminal Building was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016. The new terminal was built at a cost of Rs 160 crore. The airport in Vadodara got the approval to start international services in March 2023 when union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Vadodara handed over the gazette notification for starting customs and immigration facilities at Vadodara airport.

Vadodara Airport is  among the 25 airports earmarked for leasing between 2022 and 2025, as per the National Monetisation Pipeline, stated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Presently, the Airports Authority of India operates 9 airports in Gujarat, and one airport in Ahmedabad is operated under the PPP model by the Adani Group.

DeshGujarat