SURAT- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in Surat, Gujarat, where he inaugurated two significant projects today – the Surat Diamond Bourse and a new terminal at Surat International Airport (STV).
Constructed at a cost of ₹353 crore, the recently integrated terminal building at Surat Airport is designed to handle 1,200 domestic and 600 international passengers per hour during peak hours, with the flexibility to expand the capacity to 3,000.
Surat International Airport New Terminal
Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), stated that the overall capacity of Surat Airport will triple with the operationalization of the newly constructed terminal building.
He mentioned that Prime Minister Modi has granted international airport status to Surat, which the Union Cabinet has approved.
Surat, being a major global business hub, will be further connected to people worldwide through this new terminal, contributing to the city’s development.
The recent approval by the Union Cabinet designates Surat Airport as an international airport, facilitating seamless export-import operations for the diamond and textile industries and serving as a gateway for international travelers.
Sustainable and Heritage Terminal
The new terminal, inspired by the local culture and heritage, features a design reminiscent of the old Kashta houses of Rander.
Sustainability is a key focus, incorporating elements such as a double-insulated roofing system, low-heat gain double-glazing units, energy-saving canopies, sewage treatment, and water treatment plants.
The terminal showcases Brocade and Rogan art forms, wooden carvings, and a presentation of the kite festival through Mozaic. With 20 check-in counters, an in-line baggage handling system with conveyor belts, and five aerobridges, the terminal also includes a parking area with a capacity for 475 cars.
The airport’s expansion is set to increase the passenger handling capacity to 1,800 per hour and 35 lakh per year. With an additional 17,046 sq. meters on both sides of the existing terminal, the total area will expand to 25,520 sq. meters.
Flights from Surat
Exciting developments are underway for Surat, as plans for direct international flights to Bangkok, Malaysia, and Singapore have been revealed, with operations scheduled to begin in 2024 from Surat airport (STV).
Sanjay Ezhava, President of the Surat Airport Action Committee (SAAC), has officially announced that Surat Airport is on track to establish direct air connectivity with Bangkok and other prominent destinations, including Malaysia and Singapore, starting from February 2024.
Preparations are in full swing for upcoming international flight operations led by Air India (AI) Express, a subsidiary of Air India.
Currently operating the Surat-Sharjah route from Surat Airport, Air India Express, under the guidance of Ezhava, is gearing up to launch the Bangkok-Surat-Bangkok international flight service in February 2024.
The airline plans to provide three days a week connectivity between Surat and Bangkok, having completed cabin crew training for the new aircraft. Operations from Surat are expected to resume shortly, pending the arrival of the new aircraft.
Reports suggest that AirAsia or Vistara are planning to commence services for Surat-Malaysia and Surat-Singapore routes, contributing to the expansion of the city’s air connectivity.
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