Surat: Navsari MP CR Paatil’s announcement that Surat-Sharjah inaugural flight will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 30 has left the senior officials at Surat airport guessing.The reason being the Air India (AI) Express is yet to get the approval of time slot at Sharjah Airport for operating Surat-Sharjah flight starting from February 16. However, it remains to be seen how the AI Express would get the permission to land its inaugural flight from Surat to Sharjah airport for a single day on January 30.Talking with TOI, airport director, Sanjay Kumar Panigrahi said, “We have not been informed by the AAI headquarters or the airlines for the inaugural flight on January 30. However, the customs and immigration infrastructure at the airport terminal is ready and the deputation of the officers is also done.”In an official email communication, the Air India Express has confirmed commencement of twice a week international operation between Sharjah and Surat effective from February 16. In the summer schedule from March 31, the airline will increase the frequency to four weekly flights between Sharjah and Surat.However, the slots for the Sharjah-Surat flight have been requested at Sharjah airport and that the confirmation is still awaited by the Air India Express.Meanwhile, the website of Air India Express has announced their entry into Surat as the first international flight operator to Sharjah. The website stated ‘see you soon Surat, flight starting from February 16’.Talking with TOI, Navsari MP CR Paatil said, “PM Narendra Modi is coming to Surat to flag off the inaugural flight between Surat and Sharjah on January 30. All required permission and approvals are under process and it will be done soon. It is just an inaugural flight and that the regular operation of the international flight to Sharjah will start from February 16”Airport activist, Rajesh Modi said, “The Air India Express is yet to get slot approval for its February 16 flight operations from Surat to Sharjah and that the inaugural flight will be flagged off on January 30 by PM. This is quite confusing for the fliers community, but we only hope that whatever the case may be, we hope that the slot approval is given by Sharjah airport authorities soon.”

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