Rajkot: The Rajkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has urged the Central Government to expedite the establishment of customs clearance and immigration facilities at the Hirasar International Airport here, along with improving basic passenger amenities.

RCCI president V. P. Vaishnav said that while the airport’s international terminal is nearing completion, the absence of customs and immigration facilities has delayed the start of international flight operations. As a result, passengers are compelled to travel via Ahmedabad, leading to additional time, cost, and inconvenience.

The greenfield Rajkot International Airport at Hirasar, operational since September 2023, currently serves only domestic flights. According to RCCI, several airlines are ready to begin international routes — including a proposed Rajkot–Dubai service by IndiGo — but the lack of customs and immigration infrastructure has stalled the plan.

RCCI has also linked its demand to the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference – Kutch and Saurashtra, scheduled to be held in Rajkot on January 8 and 9. The chamber noted that numerous industrialists, business leaders, and delegates from India and abroad will participate in the event, making international air connectivity essential.

Vaishnav has made a formal representation to Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and Deputy Chief Minister and Civil Aviation Minister Harsh Sanghavi, requesting completion of the customs and immigration setup by November 2025.

He also pointed out that passengers continue to face difficulties due to the lack of basic amenities at the airport. “It is necessary to provide a high-quality Wi-Fi network, comfortable waiting lounges, duty-free shops, tasting rooms, and adequate food and beverage outlets at the earliest,” Vaishnav added. DeshGujarat