What Happened Near Surat Airport? Fire Forces Flight Diversions!

Surat, May 29 (NationPress) A sudden fire erupted near the runway of Surat International Airport on Thursday, necessitating urgent measures by airport officials.

This incident resulted in a temporary closure of the runway, leading to significant disruptions in various flight operations.

As per airport representatives, the blaze ignited due to dry grass catching fire, possibly instigated by a spark from a gas gun intended to scare away birds around the airport.

Upon noticing the fire, officials promptly suspended all runway activities, dispatching fire tenders to manage the situation. The fire was quickly controlled, with no injuries or damage reported.

Airport Director Anand Sharma confirmed that the fire was extinguished efficiently thanks to the swift actions of the fire department. He highlighted that all safety protocols were meticulously followed. While there were no injuries, the incident did interfere with flight schedules.

An Air India Express flight headed to Delhi was halted on the runway and was unable to take off. A helicopter scheduled to land was redirected to the Hazira helipad.

In addition, Ventura’s flight was redirected to Ahmedabad, and the Air India Express flight arriving from Hyderabad also made a diversion to Ahmedabad. The Bengaluru-Surat flight was rerouted to Vadodara.

Operations at the airport have resumed after clearance from fire safety teams. Authorities are currently investigating the precise cause of the fire and are reviewing safety measures to prevent future occurrences.

Surat International Airport, positioned in Magdalla, is roughly 20 km from the city center, covering an area of 784 acres. The airport features a runway that is 2,906 meters long, accommodating Code ‘C’ aircraft operations.

The newly expanded terminal, inaugurated in December 2023, spans 25,520 square meters.

This terminal is capable of managing 1,800 passengers during peak hours—1,200 for domestic flights and 600 for international, with potential expansion to handle 3,000 passengers per hour. The annual capacity for passenger handling is expected to increase to 5.5 million.

In terms of flight operations, Surat International Airport oversees an average of 32 flights daily.

In May 2024, the airport recorded a remarkable 1.47 lakh passengers, comprising 1.34 lakh domestic and 13,907 international travelers.

During this period, the airport managed 1,348 domestic flights and 102 international flights. The airport’s infrastructure includes parking for 11 aircraft and an apron area capable of accommodating up to 51 aircraft simultaneously.