Surat Airport on High Alert After Azerbaijan Aircraft Distress Signal Near Daman

SURAT: A major aviation scare unfolded on Thursday after Surat International Airport received an emergency distress alert from an aircraft near the Daman coast, prompting airport authorities to activate full-scale emergency protocols. The alert triggered swift action from security, fire, medical and air traffic control teams, even as normal flight operations continued without disruption.

According to airport officials, the distress signal originated from the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) of an Azerbaijan-registered aircraft. The alert was received through the international COSPAS-SARSAT satellite search and rescue system, which traced the signal to the Arabian Sea near Daman.

As soon as the Distress Position Update Alert was received, Surat Airport implemented its Airport Emergency Plan (AEP) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

“All emergency response agencies, including CISF, Airport Fire and Rescue Services, medical teams and Air Traffic Control, were immediately placed on high alert to respond to any possible emergency,” an airport official said.

Ambulances, firefighting vehicles and rescue personnel were deployed and kept on standby. Airport authorities also established close coordination with the Indian Coast Guard and other defence agencies to continuously monitor the reported location of the distress signal.

Despite the emergency alert, officials confirmed that all arrivals and departures at Surat International Airport operated as scheduled, with no impact on passengers or airline services.

“The situation remained under control throughout the operation, and there was no disruption to airport activities,” the official added.

Authorities said the aircraft that transmitted the distress beacon has not landed at any airport in India so far. Investigators believe it may have continued its journey or landed in another country after the alert was triggered.

Officials are continuing to track the incident and coordinate with national and international aviation agencies to determine the aircraft’s final location and the reason behind the emergency signal.