Gandhinagar: The state of Gujarat first initiated cloud seeding operations using helicopter-fixed wing aircraft in 1973, alongside aerial spraying of crops such as sugarcane and cotton. These early operations have evolved into what is now the Civil Aviation Department. In 2024 alone, approximately 1.43 lakh aircraft movements were recorded at both international and domestic airports in the state. Through these services, over 1.70 crore passengers travelled by air in Gujarat up to December 2024. Additionally, around 109.9 thousand tonnes of cargo were transported via air routes, the Gujarat government announced today.

To ensure rapid medical response in emergencies, the state government also operates air ambulance services equipped with ICU facilities and qualified doctors. By December 2024, a total of 58 air ambulance flights had been conducted — 29 for organ transport and 29 for other medical emergencies.

Currently, Gujarat is home to 19 airports — including 4 international and 15 domestic airports. These include the newly developed Surat International Airport built at a cost of ₹3,400 crore and the Air Force Station runway at Disa, constructed at ₹394 crore. Rajkot’s Hirasar Greenfield Airport was also completed at a cost of ₹1,405 crore.

Of the 19 operational airports, 9 are operated by the Airports Authority of India, 3 by the Indian Air Force, 4 are state-owned, and 3 are private. Additionally, four airstrips — located in Mehsana, Amreli, Ankleshwar, and Mandvi — fall under the jurisdiction of the state government.

New heliports are planned at Ambaji, Dwarka, Saputara, Sasan-Gir, Hansol, and Somnath. New airstrips are also proposed in Kevadia, Dwarka, Dhordo, Dholavira, Dahod, and Vadnagar. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Government of Gujarat and the Airports Authority of India to enhance aviation infrastructure and investment.

To support pilot training and aviation skill development, a Flying Training Organization has been established at the state-owned Mehsana airstrip. Over 250 students have received training so far, with 155 obtaining commercial pilot licenses. Two other institutions — Gujarat Flying Club and Vision Flying Institute — are also operational in Amreli.

In 2002, Gujarat established the Civil Aviation Department to strengthen the aviation ecosystem. The department oversees various initiatives including aviation parks, airstrips, regional airlines, air ambulance services, airborne law enforcement, and the acquisition of jet aircraft.

Gujarat State Aviation Infrastructure Company Limited – GUJSAIL

The Gujarat State Aviation Infrastructure Company Limited (GUJSAIL) was formed in the year 2010 to facilitate investment in new facilities and services by the Civil Aviation Department. It is the nodal agency of the State Government for the development of aviation and related infrastructure in Gujarat. GUJSAIL provides single-window clearance for permissions and approvals under the purview of the State Government for aviation-related activities in Gujarat.

With a vision that the common citizen of the country can fly on an ‘airship’ wearing ‘hawai chappal’, the Union Government’s Ministry of Civil Aviation launched the ‘Udaan Yojana’ — ‘Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik’ under the National Civil Aviation Policy-2016. Under this scheme, approximately 1.49 crore passengers travelled regionally at low rates on 3 lakh UDAN flights across India from 2016 to 2025.

In Gujarat, 07 flights have been started under the ‘UDAN’ scheme: Bhavnagar-Pune-Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad-Mundra-Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad-Diu-Ahmedabad, Surat-Diu-Surat, Ahmedabad-Nanded-Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad-Keshod-Ahmedabad, and Ahmedabad-Jalgaon-Ahmedabad.

In addition, under the state government’s Viability Gap Funding Scheme (VGF), internal air services have also been started in the state on the routes Surat-Ahmedabad-Surat, Surat-Amreli-Surat, Surat-Rajkot-Surat, Surat-Bhavnagar-Surat, and Ahmedabad-Bhuj-Ahmedabad, which are being widely used by the citizens of the state. DeshGujarat