The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has withdrawn its request to acquire 25.33 acres of land for the Surat Airport Expansion Project, effectively halting plans agreed upon in a memorandum of understanding with the Gujarat government in December 2023. The proposed development included installing a CAT-1 approach lighting system and an ASR-MSSR radar facility, both intended to improve safety and navigation at the airport.

AAI officials informed the Surat district collector that the land was no longer required, citing the region’s minimal fog disruptions—only three flight diversions in a year—as the primary reason. They argued that investing millions in the CAT-1 system was unjustified given Surat’s comparatively stable visibility, especially when contrasted with cities such as Delhi or Amritsar. As a result, the collectorate has suspended all land acquisition proceedings involving 20 landowners, with a budget allocation of Rs 215 crore.

However, aviation experts have raised concerns about the withdrawal. Runway 22 at Surat remains shortened by 615 metres due to illegal constructions nearby, which has already compromised safety. These risks are further exacerbated during the monsoon season and by poor visibility caused by industrial smoke from the Hazira-Sachin area. Experts insist that CAT-1 systems are essential for ensuring reliable landings in such challenging conditions and warn that abandoning the project may jeopardise passenger safety.

The cancellation also means shelving the planned ASR-MSSR radar system, a vital tool for air traffic control. With these developments, Surat Airport’s long-term safety and connectivity improvements now face significant uncertainty.