Surat: Flight operations at Surat International Airport are expected to become significantly smoother and faster, with the long-pending Parallel Taxi Track (PTT) project finally completed. The facility, which is crucial for improving runway efficiency, will be operational once the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) grants final approval.

For years, the absence of a PTT caused frequent delays. After each landing, aircraft were required to taxi directly on the main runway toward the terminal, occupying the strip for an extended period. As a result, incoming flights often had to circle in the sky until the runway was cleared, leading to recurring complaints from passengers and airline operators.

According to airport sources, Phase One of the PTT—towards Vesu—was completed earlier, while Phase Two, connecting towards Dumas, has now been completed after years of work. With both phases ready, officials are confident that runway occupancy time will drop sharply once the track becomes operational.

All required infrastructure—lights, striping, markings, and safety installations—has been fully completed. Once DGCA officials conduct inspections and approve operations, aircraft landing from the Vesu end will be able to turn onto the PTT from the Dumas side, allowing them to move directly to the terminal without blocking the runway.

This will clear the runway within minutes, enabling the next flight to land without delay and ensuring quicker turnaround times, a key benefit for both airlines and passengers.

Airport authorities and aviation circles consider the PTT a major upgrade for Surat, which has seen rising flight traffic in recent years. The operationalisation of the facility is expected to bring long-awaited relief from congestion and improve on-time performance.