New terminal to increase Surat Airport's capacity three times: AAI chairman Sanjeev Kumar
Surat Airport will increase three times once its newly built terminal building is operational, said Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The AAI Chairman stated this ahead of the new terminal's inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
PM Modi will be on a day-long visit to Surat on Sunday.
Besides inaugurating the new Surat airport terminal, he will also dedicate to the people the Surat Diamond Bourse — world's largest and modern centre for international diamond and jewellery business.
«The capacity of Surat airport will increase three times once this new terminal becomes operational. Prime Minister Modi ji has given this airport the status of an international airport, and the Union cabinet has approved it.
Surat is one of the biggest business hubs globally, and this new terminal will connect people across the globe...Also, in the process, the Surat city will get further facelift,» AAI chairman Sanjeev Kumar said while speaking to ANI.
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this week approved the proposal to declare Surat Airport as an international airport. Surat airport will not only become a gateway for international travellers but also facilitate seamless export-import operations for the thriving diamond and textile — industries.
The Surat Airport expansion has been undertaken at a cost of Rs 353 crore.
Surat is currently connected to 14 domestic cities — Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Goa, Goa Mopa, Belgaum, Pune, Jaipur, Udaipur, Indore, Diu and Kishangarh and internationally via Sharjah to the rest of the world. It is handling more than 252 passenger flight movements per week.
Asked what the reason behind the airport's expansion
