Surat Airport marches for international cargo facilities

 

GJEPC & AAICLAS deliberate on expanding domestic cargo facilities 

According to the sources, Ajay Bhardwaj, CEO of AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited (AAICLAS) had inaugurated the In-Line Baggage Handling and Scanning System (ILBHS) on 29 October 2025 at Surat International Airport. 

In the row, Ajay Bhardwaj also attends the scheduled meeting with Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) & stake holders. Export players & Stakeholders raised the need to set up an international cargo terminal from Surat International Airport.

Exports, Trade & Commerce representatives updated Ajay Bhardwaj about the export scope including diamonds & jewellery and the need of international cargo. Ajay noted the stake holders’ suggestions to initiative the setting up an international air cargo facility.  

Initially, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal to declare Surat Airport as an International Airport on December 15, 2025 while the land to create international air cargo terminal is being acquired in the month of March 2020. While, AAICLAS had set up domestic air cargo terminal in 2020 & it is operative since January29, 2020.  

In the concluding, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has expressed full support and commitment to setting up the facility as soon as possible and taking on custodianship responsibilities. While the domestic terminal is operational, an international cargo terminal has not yet been created because regular international airline operations were limited for a period.  

However, with international flights to destinations like Dubai and Sharjah now operating, the potential for an international cargo terminal is increasing.