Surat’s International Airport: A Historic Flight Amid Unfulfilled Promises

Surat : As Surat prepares to witness a historic moment with the maiden international flight of Air India Express to Bangkok starting on December 20, 2024, the excitement is overshadowed by the glaring inefficiencies and unfulfilled promises of the Airport Authority of India (AAI). Despite years of demands for flights to Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Surat’s so-called international airport remains far from meeting the basic standards of an international facility.

Incomplete Infrastructure

The grand announcement of Surat achieving international airport status in 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi came with high hopes. However, five years later, the airport remains in a state of disarray. The extended terminal, for which a budget of ₹353 crore was allocated in January 2019, still lacks crucial facilities. Basic international airport amenities like simultaneous domestic and international operations, a functional smoking room, and adequate food and retail stalls are still missing. Shockingly, passengers on international flights are currently served by a makeshift food stall—an embarrassment for an airport aiming to compete on the global stage.

Bureaucratic Failures and Delayed Projects

The inability of AAI to operationalize Surat Airport as a 24×7 facility, despite its declaration in 2018, reflects a systemic failure. Plans for night parking of aircraft, which were intended to boost revenue and enable early morning and late-night flights, remain mere rhetoric. The reconfiguration of the old terminal building is dragging on, with large sections barricaded, inconveniencing passengers.

Additionally, a significant portion of the new infrastructure remains unutilized. The approved first-floor design adhering to BCAS guidelines is yet to be implemented, and critical spaces for food and retail have not been handed over to master concessionaires. These delays are symptomatic of a lackadaisical approach by AAI, which has failed to align its work with the vision of the Prime Minister, tarnishing the image of Surat as an emerging global city.

Bilateral Agreements and Air Connectivity

Surat’s designation as an international airport seems hollow when it is not included in bilateral agreements with many Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian countries. This omission prevents foreign airlines from operating directly from Surat, denying the city’s residents convenient international connectivity. Instead, passengers are forced to endure long road or rail journeys to Mumbai for onward flights—a stark contradiction to the airport’s international status.

A Mockery of Vision and Execution

It is ironic that Surat Airport, inaugurated with much fanfare, is a stark example of AAI’s inefficiency. The Prime Minister’s vision of holistic development and timely completion of projects has been undermined by poor execution. Even basic staffing needs, such as a sufficient number of air traffic controllers (ATC), have not been addressed, further stalling the airport’s operations.

The Way Forward

Surat’s residents deserve better. The lack of accountability from AAI’s headquarters in Delhi, Mumbai’s regional oversight, and Surat’s local administration is appalling. The airport’s mismanagement is not just a local failure but a national embarrassment, given its strategic importance as a gateway for South Gujarat’s flourishing industries and diamond trade.

Surat’s journey to becoming a true international hub requires immediate intervention from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, a comprehensive review of AAI’s functioning, and strict deadlines for project completion. If these issues are not addressed urgently, the dream of Surat as a global city will remain just that—a dream.

The people of Surat have waited long enough. It’s time for AAI to stop treating this airport as an afterthought and start delivering on the promises made to its citizens. Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust and aspirations of one of India’s fastest-growing cities.