Surat: Close on the heels of the Vadodara airport , the Surat airport authorities have also sought permission from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to operate the facility round-the-clock.Now that Surat airport has been declared customs-notified and authorised immigration checkpost by the central government, authorities have started the process to get the 24 hours operational status based on the expression of interest submitted by the Air India Express to operate the international flight between Surat and Sharjah.Around five airports in the country, including Vadodara airport, have applied for the 24 hours operations to the AAI and Surat has become the sixth airport. Though, Vadodara was first to apply for the 24 hours operations last month, Surat airport authorities realised the need after facing pressure for the early operation of international flights. Once the 24 hours operation of the airport is approved then Air India Express will be launching the Sharjah-Surat flight service during night between 12.30am to 5am.Talking to TOI, airport director Sanjay Kumar Panigrahi said, “We have applied for 24-hour operation for international flights during night. This will allow the smooth operations of the domestic flights during the day time”At present, the Surat airport is operating in two shifts starting from 6am till 10pm. The watchtower closes at 10pm after which the landing and take-offs of the flights are suspended.“We expect the AAI to clear the 24-hour operation of Surat airport in the next two months. New staff will be deployed for the night operations of the airport.”

Stay updated with all the Latest Surat headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.