Today is the planned opening of Surat Airport’s new terminal building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The building had earlier the capacity to handle 240 passengers per hour. It was equipped with features like 2 baggage carousels in the arrivals hall, CCTV cameras and 1 hand baggage X-ray machine. Here are the features of the new integrated terminal building of Surat Airport.
Surat Airport: PM Modi To Inaugurate The New Integrated Terminal
Take a look at the magnificent pictures of Surat diamond bourse and the new integrated terminal building of Surat Airport which will be inaugurated by PM @NarendraModi ji today. pic.twitter.com/p30qAjJwXx
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) December 17, 2023
The proposal to designate Surat Airport as an international airport has been approved by the Union Cabinet. This would open a door for foreign visitors and facilitate smooth export-import operations for the textile and diamond sectors.
Constructed at an expense of 353 crore, Surat Airport’s new integrated terminal building would have the capacity to handle 1,200 domestic and 600 international passengers per hour during peak hours, with an option to expand to 3,000.
The airport has been given a heritage building appearance by drawing influence from the historic Kashta buildings of Rander. The new facility has been created with consideration for the local culture and tradition.
Additionally, it has energy-saving canopies, water and sewage treatment plants, low-heat-gain double glazing, a double-insulated roofing system, and other sustainable features. The terminal will also feature a show of the Mosaic kite festival, as well as displays of wooden carvings, brocade, and rogan art forms. It features five aerobridges, an in-line baggage handling system with conveyor belts, and twenty check-in counters. In addition, there is a 475-space parking lot.
The airport’s ability to handle passengers would rise to 1,800 passengers per hour. Further, 35 lakh passengers annually with the extension. The overall space will reach 25,520 square metres after the current terminal is expanded by 17,046 square metres on both sides.
Also Read: 100 Days Of Domestic Flight Operations; These Airports Saw The Maximum Passengers
Cargo Terminal And Other Details
I will be in Surat tomorrow, 17th December. The new integrated terminal building of Surat Airport would be inaugurated. This is a major infrastructural upgrade for Surat, boosting ‘Ease of Living’ and ensuring greater commerce for the city and surrounding areas. pic.twitter.com/DMuWpYR7lE
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 16, 2023
On January 29, 2020, Surat Airport’s cargo terminal opened. The Surat Airport’s modular freight terminal proposal was authorised by AAI. Following the tender’s acceptance, a Surat-based business was given the go-ahead to begin building the new cargo port.
The facility will be 14,000 square feet in size, with 3,200 square feet on the bottom floor and 10,800 square feet on the ground floor. The freight terminal’s construction was finished in the allotted 13 months for project completion. AAI has set aside land at Surat Airport for the construction of a cargo terminal.
To facilitate the landing of larger aircraft, the airport’s 1,400-metre runway was expanded to 2,250 metres in 2007. Nevertheless, it was claimed in October 2007 that subpar work during the runway’s extension caused damage to the runway. Consequently, the runway was restricted to permitting no more than two aircraft operations, each weighing more than 75,000 kg up to its rated capacity of 80,000 kg, until the runway was fixed.
After a buffalo and a SpiceJet Boeing 737 collided in November 2014, the AAI decided to fix the airport’s safety problems and spend ₹500 million to lengthen the runway from 2,250 metres to 2,905 metres.
Also Read: Air India Express To Connect Surat & Dubai In A Landmark Move; To Have 5 Weekly Flights
Comment below and share your thoughts about Surat Airport’s integrated terminal building.
Cover Image Courtesy: Dr Mansukh Mandaviya/ X (Formerly, Twitter)
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