Customs notified status eludes Surat airport

SURAT: High-flying Surtis are still awaiting announcement from the central government regarding customs notified status for Surat airport. In the first week of April, Navsari MP C R Paatil had stated that the notification will be announced within a week. Paatil had stated at a press conference that a strong representation was made to the civil aviation ministry and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) regarding limited international operations from Surat airport.
“We have been told by AAI and civil aviation ministry that customs notified status for Surat airport is likely to be given in the next one week. With this, Surat airport will have international flight operations,” Paatil had said.
Last month, senior officials from the central government’s bureau of immigration and customs and from finance and civil aviation ministries visited Surat airport for checking the modifications, documentations and related infrastructure before providing customs notified status for limited international operations.
An AAI officer said, “The officials inspected the terminal area, runway and checked other infrastructure at the airport. They also checked the documents related to runway expansion and DGCA’s approval for displacement of 615 metre runway due to obstruction in the funnel. The meeting was held in a positive atmosphere and hopefully things will move in a week or two.”
by via Surat News, Latest Surat News Headlines & Live Updates - Times of India