RTI Reveals Why Surat Airport Lacks ILS Approach Lights

Surat | Gujarat — An RTI reply has exposed the reason behind the non-installation of Instrument Landing System (ILS) Cat-1 approach lights at Surat Airport, a long-standing demand of flyers and activists. Despite repeated representations and concerns raised after air crashes in Surat (2019) and Kozhikode (2020), authorities have dismissed the demand, citing high costs and “low diversion rates.”

For years, the Surat Airport Action Committee (SAAC), led by its president Sanjay Ezhava, has been pressing the Union government and local authorities to acquire 20.33 acres of land for ILS approach lights and another 5 acres for ASR and MSSR facilities—a total of 25.33 acres. Recently, the proposal was officially rejected.

According to information shared by the Surat Airport Director under RTI, 37 aircraft were diverted due to bad weather in the last six years, averaging six diversions annually. The Airports Authority of India’s head office in Delhi concluded that the cost of land acquisition for installing approach lights was not justified for such a “low number” of diversions.

This explanation has sparked outrage among frequent flyers and activists, who argue that aviation safety cannot be measured in numbers alone.

Speaking to reporters, Ezhava condemned the decision as dangerous negligence. “This is clear disregard for Surat. Even a single accident caused by poor landing conditions can put thousands of lives at risk. The administration’s responsibility is to ensure zero accidents, not to balance lives against costs,” he said.

He further warned that Surat Airport is located in a sensitive zone. “There are shrimp ponds, ONGC pipelines, and even hazardous buildings near the runway. One accident here can have catastrophic consequences far beyond just passengers,” Ezhava added.

Aviation experts echo these concerns, highlighting that ILS Cat-1 with approach lights is standard safety infrastructure at most major airports. Without it, pilots face greater challenges in landing during bad weather, increasing the risk of diversions or, worse, accidents.

A senior airport official, however, defended the decision. “Compared to other airports, the diversion numbers here are very low. The cost of acquiring land and installing the infrastructure runs into hundreds of crores. From a cost-benefit standpoint, it was not found feasible,” he said.

But for flyers, cost arguments offer little comfort. “If Delhi and Mumbai deserve full safety systems, why not Surat? Passenger lives are equal everywhere,” said a frequent traveler from the city.

With Surat emerging as a major hub for diamonds, textiles, and global trade, activists argue that its airport deserves world-class safety standards. For now, however, the RTI makes clear that financial considerations—not safety—have dictated the decision.