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Expansion projects to triple airport capacity by 2020

Surat: Once the work on terminal building expansion, parallel taxiway and an apron is completed at Surat airport, its capacity is set to increase threefold.
Work orders to the tune of Rs300 crore for the development of airport either have been issued or are in the process and they are expected to be completed by the middle of 2020, Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials said.

Direct flights to two more international destinations are being planned amid efforts to triple average monthly traffic of 1.45 lakh people and operations of 46 daily flights from Surat airport by next year.

Air India Express operates direct flight to Sharjah and private airlines to other destinations in the country from Surat.

“Development of Surat airport started late compared to other tier two cities, but by 2020 it is likely to leave all airports in the country behind in terms of development and facilities,” said an officer of AAI.

Surat airport terminal building will be expanded on both sides and in front on modular basis at a cost of Rs100 crore. “This will give three times more floor space to passengers. The airport will have five aero bridges instead of two that it now has.

Construction of parallel taxiway and apron will enable an aircraft to immediately move away from the main runway.