Gujarat : Surat International Airport on ‘Cat’ Bharose, Passenger safety goes for a toss

Surat : There is a cat of a problem at the newly minted Surat International airport. The tarmac area of the Surat airport has become home to the stray cats and kittens. A video has gone viral on social media depicting a stray cat and her kittens in a playful mood on the air side, near the boarding gate.

https://x.com/BluntTbt/status/1754808209175449906?s=20

The Ministry of Civil Aviation accorded the international status to the Surat airport in the gazette  notification issued on January 30. However, the video, now viral on social media, showcases the cats taking over the sensitive area on the air side at the Surat international airport.

This comes after a near-miss a few days ago, when an aircraft allegedly hit a cat. This calls into doubt the airport’s capacity to regulate the movement of animals inside its essential operating zones. The spectacle has shocked and amazed passengers, who have voiced their concerns about the airport’s lack of security procedures that provide animals such easy access to the runway.

Many internet users have taken offence to the video and have questioned the efficacy of the airport’s programme to control birds and animals, as well as its safety standards. Not long ago, on January 30th, a gazette notice was published by the Ministry of Civil Aviation awarding Surat Airport international status. This event calls into question the airport’s preparedness to manage the heightened security requirements of international operations, casting doubt on this accomplishment.

Accidents and malfunctions caused by cats chewing on electrical lines are possible.Pilots may make mistakes in judgement due to the unexpected and distracting presence of a cat on the runway.Stray cats pose a health risk to people due to the illnesses they carry. Airport operations might be impacted and passengers can experience discomfort due to the presence of cats.

Doing this in a way that is compassionate and compliant with laws pertaining to animal care is essential. The airport administration has to be more transparent on the issue and the measures they are taking to fix it.

We were unable to get a response from the senior officials at Surat Airport.

https://x.com/BluntTbt/status/1754808209175449906?s=20