SGCCI Pushes for Launch of International Air Cargo Services from Surat Airport

SGCCI urges AAICLAS and Surat Airport authorities to begin international air cargo operations, promising a boost for diamond, jewellery, shrimp, and agri exports from South Gujarat.

By Times News Network On Nov 1, 2025

International air cargo services at Surat Airport, the blunt times — SGCCI urges AAICLAS and Surat Airport to start international air cargo services

Surat | Gujarat — The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) held an important meeting in Surat in the presence of Airport Authority of India Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited (AAICLAS) CEO Ajay Bhardwaj and Surat Airport Director A.N. Sharma for starting international air cargo services from the Surat airport.

The meeting was attended by SGCCI president Nikhil Madrasi and Honorary Treasurer CA Mitish Modi, APMC Vice Chairman Harshad Patel and Director Babubhai Sheikh, SGCCI group chairman Sanjeev Gandhi, chamber aviation and airport committee chairman, Linesh Shah, and committee advisor Manoj Singapuri and members.

SGCCI president Nikhil Madrasi proposed to start international cargo service at Surat Airport. He said that diamonds, jewellery and shrimp are currently exported from Surat on a large scale via Mumbai. If international cargo is started from Surat Airport, exports will get more momentum and exporters will get relief in both time and cost. Considering the increasing export business of Surat’s industries and traders, there is an urgent need for international cargo service at Surat Airport, hence he made a presentation to AAICLAS CEO Ajay Bhardwaj to start this service at the earliest.

During the discussion, APMC representatives said that currently about 1000 tons of vegetables and fruits are exported from Surat via Mumbai every month, but if international cargo service is started at Surat Airport, they are assured to export 1000 tons of vegetables and fruits directly from Surat every month.

On this occasion, AAICLAS CEO Ajay Bhardwaj gave a favorable response to the development of Surat Airport and said that appropriate steps will be taken after reviewing the technical and procedural matters.

Surat Airport Director A.N. Sharma discussed the growing infrastructure and logistics capacity of Surat Airport and provided guidance on the systems and processes required for international cargo services.