Surat. There is disappointing news once again regarding Surat Airport.

The flight service operating between Surat and Bangkok is set to be completely shut down from July 1, 2026. Air India Express has stopped bookings on this route, citing continuous losses as the reason. This decision has led to dissatisfaction among passengers and business people.

According to reports, until some time ago, five international flights were operating from Surat Airport, including major routes like Bangkok, Dubai, and Sharjah. However, in the past few months, three of these flights have already been discontinued. By July 2026, only two international flights will remain from Surat Airport, primarily based on the Dubai route.

The Surat-Bangkok flight operated four days a week and was considered important for both tourism and business. Its closure will force passengers to travel from alternative cities, increasing both time and costs. Local residents and experts believe that there is injustice in terms of air services for a rapidly developing metropolis like Surat.

In recent years, many important routes such as Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Goa, and Sharjah have been shut down, while the frequency of other routes has also been reduced. It is noteworthy that Surat has a population of around 9 million and is one of the country's major industrial and commercial centers. Despite this, the continuous decline in air connectivity remains a concern.

According to statistics, Surat Airport has an average passenger load factor of up to 85%, with many flights reaching up to 90%. This clearly indicates that there is no shortage of passengers in the city, but rather a lack of adequate flight services. If solid steps are not taken in this direction in a timely manner, Surat's international connectivity may weaken further, which could directly impact the city's business and development.

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New Delhi, May 9 – In light of the escalating military standoff between India and Pakistan, civil aviation authorities have extended the closure of 24 airports in northern and western India, including Srinagar and Chandigarh, until 5:29 a.m. on May 15. The decision was earlier enforced until May 10 but has now been prolonged as a precautionary measure.

As per agency report, the suspension affects key airports in conflict-sensitive regions, with flights being temporarily halted to ensure safety and support defense operations in the area.

The list of affected airports includes Srinagar, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Bhuj, Jaisalmer, Rajkot, Ludhiana, Bhuntar, Kishangarh, Patiala, Shimla, Dharamshala, Bathinda, Bikaner, Pathankot, Jamnagar, and others.

Air India announced via social media platform X that its flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Bhuj, Jamnagar, and Rajkot will remain suspended during this period. The airline added that passengers holding valid tickets for travel during the suspension window would be eligible for one-time free rescheduling or full refunds.

IndiGo also issued a travel update on X, confirming the cancellation of all flights to ten destinations—Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Rajkot, Jodhpur, and Kishangarh—until May 15, in accordance with official directives.

The temporary suspension of civil operations comes as the Indian Armed Forces remain on high alert following retaliatory missile strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’ and Pakistan’s recent attempted drone and missile attacks on Indian military installations.

With defense preparedness taking priority, airspace in these strategically located regions will remain restricted until further notice, ensuring safe coordination between civil and military aviation.

New Delhi, April 15 : Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has been ranked ninth among the world's top 10 busiest airports in 2024, according to the latest data released by Airports Council International (ACI) World.

The IGI Airport handled 77,820,834 passengers during the year, marking a significant increase of 7.8 percent compared to 2023 and 13.6 percent over pre-pandemic levels in 2019. In 2023, Delhi Airport held the tenth position globally, and its advancement by one spot reflects the growing air travel demand in the region.

Topping the list is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the United States, which managed 108,067,766 passengers in 2024, maintaining its position as the busiest airport in the world. Dubai International Airport and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport secured the second and third spots, respectively.

Other airports in the top 10 include Japan’s Haneda Airport in fourth place, followed by London Heathrow in fifth, and Denver International Airport in sixth. Istanbul Airport in Turkey and Chicago O’Hare International Airport ranked seventh and eighth, respectively, just ahead of Delhi.

Airports Council International (ACI) World, a global trade association representing nearly 830 members operating over 2,000 airports worldwide, compiles this annual ranking based on passenger traffic data from member airports across the globe.

A loader employed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has been arrested for allegedly stealing a consignment of 75 branded smartphones worth several lakhs of rupees. The Delhi Police revealed on Tuesday that the accused has been identified as Monu, also known as Nikhil Kumar, aged 28. So far, 36 stolen smartphones have been recovered in the investigation.

The case came to light when Sanjay Yadav, head of sales and marketing at Cargo Services, filed an online complaint on February 6. According to his statement, the company had dispatched four PVC boxes containing 280 smartphones from its Noida Phase 2 warehouse to a retail store in Indore on January 27. However, upon arrival, one box containing 75 phones was found missing.

As per agency report, investigators initially combed through CCTV footage from the cargo loading and storage areas at the airport but failed to find any leads. The breakthrough came when the team began tracking the stolen phones using technical surveillance. Eventually, they discovered that some of the phones had reached buyers who had unknowingly purchased them from a mobile dealer in East Patel Nagar, identified as Suman Kumar.

Upon questioning, Suman revealed that he had acquired 27 smartphones, worth over Rs. 26 lakh, from another dealer, Arun Sharma. According to Additional Commissioner of Police (IGI) Usha Rangnani, when customers began returning the phones due to lack of proper invoices, Suman returned the devices to Arun Sharma.

Further inquiry led police to Arun Sharma, who confessed that he had purchased 34 of the stolen phones from a person named Sahil based in Mathura. Of these, he had sold 27 phones to Suman and still had seven in his possession, which were seized by the police. Sahil remains at large, and efforts to trace him are ongoing.

Another stolen phone was found with a buyer in Gurugram, who had purchased it from a local vendor named Chintu. When questioned, Chintu admitted to buying two sealed phones from Nikhil Kumar for Rs. 2 lakh and provided proof of an online transaction. This crucial lead enabled the police to track down and arrest Nikhil.

During interrogation, Nikhil Kumar confessed to the crime. He had been working as a loader for a ground-handling agency at IGI Airport for the past two years. He admitted that he noticed a shipment left unattended in a deserted parking zone and took advantage of the opportunity to steal one of the boxes. Initially, he hid the stolen phones in an old, unused container at the airport and gradually moved them out in small quantities.

Nikhil admitted to selling 55 phones to his associate Sahil and two phones to Chintu. With his arrest, police have recovered 36 devices and continue efforts to apprehend Sahil and retrieve the remaining smartphones.

The investigation is still underway, according to the police.

Singapore, March 21 – India is poised to witness a robust seven percent growth in air passenger traffic in 2025, driven by a rising middle class and affordable air travel options, according to Joshua Ng, Director at US-based Elton Aviation Consultancy.

Speaking optimistically about India’s aviation prospects, Ng noted that the country, which contributes around 10 percent to Asia-Pacific’s domestic and international air traffic demand, has already rebounded to pre-COVID-19 levels. As per agency report, he highlighted that this surge in demand supports India's extensive aviation infrastructure development programs, including the establishment of 150 new airports across the country.

Ng stated that the projected seven percent rise in passenger numbers for 2025 will be further supported by the substantial aircraft order book of Indian airlines, which currently stands at approximately 1,900 aircraft.

The director also emphasized that recent industry developments, such as the merger between Air India and Vistara, are expected to bring greater stability to the aviation sector. Following the merger, Air India and IndiGo are likely to emerge as the dominant players in the full-service and low-cost carrier segments, respectively.

On a global scale, Ng explained that air traffic has returned to pre-pandemic levels, and the aviation industry is projected to maintain its long-term annual growth trend of four percent from 2024 to 2034. This growth will be supported by a 2.7 percent annual rise in global gross domestic product.

Ng concluded that the Asia-Pacific region will remain the world’s largest air travel market, with an estimated annual growth rate of 5.1 percent, largely fueled by increasing long-term demand from China and India.

Surat International Airport is experiencing a surge in international travel, with February 2024 marking a record month for outbound passengers. This growth is attributed to the addition of new flight routes and increased service to popular destinations.

Prior to 2018, Surat lacked direct international connections. However, the introduction of flights to Sharjah marked a turning point. While these flights were initially bi-weekly, the impact of the pandemic forced a temporary suspension.

Post-pandemic recovery has seen a significant rise in air travel. The addition of flights to Dubai, initially operating four days a week, further boosted passenger numbers. In February, the introduction of another Dubai route, now operating five days a week, solidified Surat's growing role as a regional travel hub.

Currently, three international flights operate out of Surat, facilitating the movement of 12,239 passengers in February alone, achieved with just 78 flights. Notably, Pune, with 107 flights serving international routes, recorded only 13,590 outbound passengers in the same period. This trend suggests Surat is poised to surpass Pune in international passenger volume for March.

Looking at broader trends, data from airlines reveals a total of 1,254,966 passengers utilizing Surat International Airport between April 2023 and February 2024. The peak for domestic travel occurred in January 2024, with 135,963 passengers, while February saw a significant boost in international travel following the launch of the new Dubai route.

The impressive growth comes despite a 30-40% increase in airfares compared to 2019. This highlights the strong demand for air travel from Surat, with residents willing to pay a premium for increased connectivity and convenience.

With continued expansion of domestic and international routes, Surat International Airport is well-positioned to witness even greater passenger volumes in the coming year. The rise in air travel signifies Surat's growing importance as a commercial and cultural center.

Surat : International travelers at Surat's new airport can finally breathe a sigh of relief. After facing inconveniences due to the lack of immigration facilities in the recently inaugurated terminal, the process has finally begun, streamlining travel for foreign-bound and returning tourists. This timely improvement coincides with the announcement of a new Dubai flight, expanding connectivity options for passengers.

Built at a cost of Rs. 363 crore, the new terminal promised smoother international travel for Surat. However, its initial days were marred by concerns over immigration services being unavailable. Passengers were forced to navigate to the older domestic terminal for immigration checks, causing unnecessary hassle. Fortunately, this hurdle has been overcome, with the immigration process now operational within the new international terminal itself.

Adding to the good news, Indigo Airlines is launching a new service connecting Surat to Dubai. Starting from February 23rd, the carrier will operate three flights per week – Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays – catering to the growing demand for this popular route. This addition complements the existing Sharjah flight, which currently operates five days a week, offering even more flexibility for travelers.

The increase in international flights aligns with Surat's rising prominence as a tourist destination. The lack of readily available immigration facilities at the new terminal, however, threatened to dampen this progress. Thankfully, the swift resolution of this issue ensures a smoother travel experience for international passengers, solidifying Surat's position as a well-connected gateway.

Surat : Surat's international air travel is soaring, with passenger numbers nearly doubling in a year, and now SpiceJet Airlines is poised to join the Dubai route, further fueling this boom.

Air India Express' Sharjah-Surat-Sharjah and Surat-Dubai-Surat flights have been a resounding success, consistently reaching close to 90% occupancy. This strong demand has prompted SpiceJet to announce its own plans for a Surat-Dubai-Surat service, promising an official launch announcement soon.

"Considering the passenger load of Air India Express Airlines' flights, we are also planning Dubai-Surat-Dubai flights," said a SpiceJet representative. "We will announce the details soon."

This surge in international travel from Surat reflects a vibrant local economy and growing appetite for global connections. In just 12 months, passenger numbers at Surat International Airport have jumped from 4,107 to 7,349, signifying a remarkable 79% increase.

While the news of SpiceJet's upcoming Dubai flights is exciting, the report also mentions disruptions caused by Thursday's fog. Several flights from Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Goa, Jaipur, and Pune faced delays due to the adverse weather conditions. Indigo's Delhi flight to Surat was the worst affected, delayed by a considerable 3.30 hours.

Despite this temporary setback, the overall picture for Surat's international air travel remains bright. With strong passenger demand and airlines like SpiceJet eager to enter the market, Surat is poised to become a key hub for international travel in Western India.

Varanasi (UP), Dec 30 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Maharishi Valmiki international airport in Ayodhya.

The Prime Minister inspected the various facilities available at the airport.

Designed by Sthapati and built at a cost of Rs 1450 crores, the Ayodhya Airport emerges as an infrastructural marvel and a promise of holistic community development and cultural enrichment.

Beyond its physical dimensions, the airport, with its GRIHA 4-Star Certification, stands as a testament to India’s commitment to sustainable practices, heralding a new era in environmentally conscious aviation.

The Ayodhya Airport, is strategically located to facilitate travel for devotees and tourists.

The location complements the upcoming Ayodhya Ram Temple, providing a seamless travel experience to visitors seeking to experience this historic city.

Ayodhya Airport is the newest milestone in this journey of unprecedented growth in aviation traffic and infrastructure. With a peak-hour capacity of 750+ passengers and four aircraft movements per hour, it will cater to a large population and accommodate the continuous expected growth.

A two-storeyed structure, the Ayodhya Airport is adorned with elevational elements depicting the sacred city’s rich history. The ground floor invites passengers with expansive amenities, and the airport operations are carried out from the first floor.

The building is inspired by the gradual elevation of the mandapas and the Nagara style of temple architecture prevalent in Northern India.

According to an official release, the Ayodhya Airport Integrates the city’s heritage into the architecture

At the main entrance of Ayodhya Airport, a grand stepped shikar stands tall, adorned with brass. This architectural masterpiece follows the Nagara style, outlined with scriptures, presenting a majestic and culturally rich welcome to passengers.

The city’s heritage and story unfold through intricate columns, each laden with profound symbolism. The mega columns supporting the terminal roof symbolise the Kandas of Ramayana, blending cultural richness into the airport's architecture.

The Khandika, symbolising impermanence, coexists with the Deva Gana Patta, embodying divine features. Every column narrates a story of dedication, courage, and spirituality, weaving the city's essence into the very fabric of the airport.

The airport’s artistic immersion includes symbolic murals and artwork from the Ramayana

The terminal building is a canvas of profound messages. The Bow and Arrow mural symbolises the courage to confront untruth, while hexagonal light particles embody the eternal triumph of truth over hierarchy.

From arrivals to skylights, artworks intricately depict the timeless tale of Lord Ram from the Ramayana, creating an immersive, sensory-rich experience beyond traditional airport designs. Strategically placed skylights serve as guiding beacons, enhancing wayfinding and offering a sensory experience for passengers.

Ayodhya (UP), Dec 29 (IANS) The Ayodhya Airport, set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, marks a new era in Airport excellence and cultural identity, propelling India's growth story skywards.

Designed by Sthapati and built at a cost of Rs 1,450 crore, the Ayodhya Airport emerges as an infrastructural marvel and a promise of holistic community development and cultural enrichment.

Beyond its physical dimensions, the airport, with its GRIHA 4-Star Certification, stands as a testament to India’s commitment to sustainable practices, heralding a new era in environmentally conscious aviation.

The Ayodhya Airport, is strategically located to facilitate travel for devotees and tourists. The location complements the upcoming Ayodhya Ram Temple, providing a seamless travel experience to visitors seeking to experience this historic city.

Ayodhya Airport is the newest milestone in this journey of unprecedented growth in aviation traffic and infrastructure. With a peak-hour capacity of 750+ passengers and four aircraft movements per hour, it will cater to a large population and accommodate the continuous expected growth.

A two-storeyed structure, the Ayodhya Airport is adorned with elevational elements depicting the sacred city’s rich history. The ground floor invites passengers with expansive amenities, and the airport operations are carried out from the first floor.

The building is inspired by the gradual elevation of the mandapas and the Nagara style of temple architecture prevalent in Northern India.

According to an official release, the Ayodhya Airport Integrates the city’s heritage into the architecture

At the main entrance of Ayodhya Airport, a grand stepped shikar stands tall, adorned with brass. This architectural masterpiece follows the Nagara style, outlined with scriptures, presenting a majestic and culturally rich welcome to passengers.

The city’s heritage and story unfold through intricate columns, each laden with profound symbolism. The mega columns supporting the terminal roof symbolise the Kandas of Ramayana, blending cultural richness into the airport's architecture.

The Khandika, symbolising impermanence, coexists with the Deva Gana Patta, embodying divine features. Every column narrates a story of dedication, courage, and spirituality, weaving the city's essence into the very fabric of the airport.

The airport’s artistic immersion Includes symbolic murals and artwork from the Ramayana

The terminal building is a canvas of profound messages. The Bow and Arrow mural symbolises the courage to confront untruth, while hexagonal light particles embody the eternal triumph of truth over hierarchy.

From arrivals to skylights, artworks intricately depict the timeless tale of Lord Ram from the Ramayana, creating an immersive, sensory-rich experience beyond traditional airport designs. Strategically placed skylights serve as guiding beacons, enhancing wayfinding and offering a sensory experience for passengers.

Embracing carbon neutrality with eco-conscious GRC materials, the design pioneers sustainable practices in aviation.

Anticipating a surge in tourism, the Ayodhya Airport's passenger terminal accommodates 150 arrivals and departures simultaneously.

The Airport is poised to transcend the ordinary, mirroring the cultural opulence of Ayodhya and redefining contemporary airports to authentically embody the city’s identity - a symbol of pride for the aviation industry.

For the devotees and pilgrims who will tread the corridors of Ayodhya Airport, the journey is physical and spiritual. The airport is strategically designed to further develop Ayodhya as one of the world's largest pilgrimage centres.

The Ayodhya Airport will also serve as a catalyst for economic growth in the region. Projections indicate the creation of at least 500 jobs annually, offering tangible benefits to the local community. This is not just about connectivity; it is about fostering sustainable livelihoods and empowering the region with economic opportunities that reverberate beyond the terminal gates.

New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) A man, who is a prime accused in a rape case registered in Punjab's Ludhiana, escaped from the custody of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, an official said on Monday.

The man identified as Amandeep Singh, a resident of Fatehgarh Sahib, had arrived at the airport from Bahrain on December 20.

Upon his arrival, Singh was intercepted by immigration officials who discovered a lookout circular (LOC) issued against him.

Subsequently, he was handed over to CISF personnel stationed at the airport. The accused, who had been evading law enforcement since April 2020, was finally apprehended.

However, Singh exploited a moment of vulnerability and fled from the custody of CISF officers.

“On 20.12.2023 one pax (passenger) holding Emergency Certificate issued in the name of Amandeep Singh arrived at IGI airport from Bahrain by flight no. Al-940 who was handed over to us by outgoing shift-B,” read the FIR.

“Pax was a LOC, wanted in case dated April 7, 2020 under section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at City Khanna police station, Ludhiana, Punjab with remarks 'Detained and handover intercepted person to local police and inform originator',” the FIR stated.

Singh was under the custody of CISF staff on duty, when at around 10 a.m. while CISF Guard went for washroom on December 20, he exited the arrival immigration area illegally by jumping the Counter no. 33 gate (Indian Side).

“Thus pax cheated Indian Immigration by illegally escaping from the arrival immigration area therefore; a case may be registered against him under relevant sections of law,” the FIR stated.

A senior police official said that a manhunt has been initiated to nab the accused and further probe is going on.

The case against Singh has been filed under section 224 (resistance or obstruction by a person to his lawful apprehension) of the IPC at the IGI airport.

Ahmedabad : In a remarkable feat, Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPI) has set a new record for handling the highest number of passengers and flights on a single day, coinciding with the World Cup final match. The airport successfully managed 40,801 passengers and 359 Air Traffic Movements (ATMs), including over 260 scheduled and 99 non-scheduled flights.

This remarkable achievement was attained within 23 hours, despite a 45-minute closure of the airspace due to the World Cup air show. The airport's well-developed infrastructure and continuous improvement efforts played a crucial role in ensuring seamless operations. The hard work and dedication of the airport staff, including AAI, CISF, Immigration, Customs, Airline Partners, and the SVPIA team, were instrumental in this success.

Post-World Cup Flight Prices Surge

As cricket enthusiasts return from the World Cup final, air ticket prices have skyrocketed across various routes. Online searches reveal significantly higher ticket prices from Ahmedabad to major cities. On November 20, flight tickets from Ahmedabad to Delhi ranged from Rs 24,000 to Rs 40,000, while tickets to Mumbai were priced between Rs 25,000 and Rs 36,000. Airfares to Kolkata reached a staggering Rs 38,000 to Rs 49,000, while flights to Bengaluru and Hyderabad were priced between Rs 31,000 to Rs 51,000 and Rs 30,000 to Rs 43,000, respectively.