Surat: Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu today virtually inaugurated a series of new passenger amenities at airports across the country, including upgraded facilities at Surat International Airport.

Naidu remotely launched the initiatives at Surat Airport while attending an official event at Coimbatore Airport. The newly introduced services include the UDAN Yatri Café, the official launch of Digi Yatra, a dedicated children’s play area, an Avsar outlet, and upgraded Wi-Fi connectivity.

Surat Airport Director Anand Narayan Sharma said five major passenger-focused facilities are being introduced to enhance convenience, ease of travel and the overall airport experience.

The UDAN Yatri Café aims to provide hygienic and nutritious food and beverages at affordable prices, making air travel more accessible to common passengers. The café will offer snacks and beverages at subsidised rates, including samosas at ₹20 per piece, tea at ₹10, coffee at ₹20, drinking water bottles at ₹10, and a “Sweet of the Day” at ₹20.

Under the ‘One Airport One Product’ initiative, the Avsar outlet will provide a platform for self-help groups to display and sell unique local products, thereby promoting grassroots entrepreneurship.

The Digi Yatra facility will also be formally launched, enabling seamless and paperless entry into the terminal through a facial recognition-based system. Enhanced Wi-Fi services offering free and uninterrupted internet access will be available throughout the airport, benefiting business travellers, students and other passengers reliant on digital connectivity.

Notably, the trial of the Digi Yatra facility at the airport was completed in July last year, and the service had been operational intermittently since then. It was halted in November 2025 after staff members went on mass leave to protest alleged delays in salary payments. With the official launch now scheduled, passengers are expected to enjoy seamless entry by bypassing CISF-manned entry gates and moving smoothly through the terminal up to the boarding gate.

A dedicated children’s play area will also be opened to cater to families travelling with young children. DeshGujarat