Officials from Air India Express (IX, Delhi International) will visit Surat airport on April 14 to conduct a security and safety survey, ahead of plans to launch direct flights to Dubai International.
Speaking with The Times of India, local parliamentarian C R Paatil said that the budget airline's team will inspect the terminal building, runway and security facilities. "The modification at the terminal building to accommodate the international and domestic passengers as well as the customs facility is underway and on the verge of completion," he added.
The flight is slated to launch on May 15. Surat airport, located in the western state of Gujarat, currently only serves Delhi International and Mumbai International, with SpiceJet (SG, Delhi International), Air India (AI, Delhi International) and Alliance Air (India) (9I, Delhi International) providing scheduled services. A new terminal was opened in 2015, capable of handling 270 passengers per hour. Dubai will be the airport's first international destination, while Surat will be the 12th Indian city that Air India Express flies to from Dubai.
