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Surat International Airport: The Growing Aviation Hub of Gujarat
An overview of Surat's international gateway from its 1970s origins to its current status as a key regional hub.
Official airport website
STV · VASU · Surat, Gujarat
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Tags: Surat International Airport · Gujarat Aviation · Magdalla · Airports Authority of India · STV · Travel India
Surat International Airport (STV/VASU) serves as a critical aviation link for the city of Surat, Gujarat. Located in Magdalla, approximately 12 kilometers from the city centre, the facility spans a total area of 770 acres. It currently holds the position of the second busiest airport in the state of Gujarat, trailing only Ahmedabad in terms of passenger traffic and aircraft movements.
The airport has undergone significant regulatory transitions to support its growth. It was officially awarded the status of a customs airport on 9 June 2018. Following this, the cabinet approved its international status on 15 December 2023, marking a new chapter for the facility's operations.
Historical Foundations
The Government of Gujarat established the airport in the early 1970s. During its early years, Safari Airways, owned by Vijaypat Singhania of the Raymond Group, provided regular services to Bombay and Bhavnagar using Douglas DC-3 aircraft.
Throughout the 1990s, the airport saw activity from carriers such as Vayudoot and Gujarat Airways. However, these services were eventually discontinued, with Vayudoot stopping flights in May 1994 and Gujarat Airways following in January 2000.
Modernization and Infrastructure
In 2003, the airport was transferred to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), which initiated modernization efforts. At the time of transfer, the infrastructure included a 1,400-metre airstrip and an apron measuring 60 by 40 metres.
Early attempts to connect Surat to Mumbai and Bhavnagar in July 2004 faced challenges due to the infrastructure at the time. Since then, the AAI has worked to upgrade the 312-hectare site to meet the demands of being a major regional hub.
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