Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, has undergone notable enhancements in recent months, further solidifying its position as a key aviation hub. The latest upgrade entails the addition of five new parking stands at Terminal 2, augmenting flight operations and aircraft parking capacity to meet the escalating demand for air travel in Ahmedabad. With this expansion, the airport now boasts a total of 18 parking stands, a significant increase from the previous count of 13, accommodating a variety of aircraft commonly used by both domestic and select international airlines.

These newly added stands not only provide airlines with additional opportunities to introduce more connections to Ahmedabad but also coincide with Terminal 2's rapid expansion, marked by the installation of four new aerobridges, effectively doubling the total to eight. Furthermore, the implementation of the Multiple Aircraft Ramp System (MARS) on four existing aerobridges optimises stand utilisation, enhancing operational efficiency.

Terminal 2's enhanced capabilities now enable it to handle a diverse range of aircraft, including 18 Boeing 737/Airbus A320 commonly utilised by domestic and certain international carriers, as well as five wide-body aircraft such as Boeing 777/787, Airbus A359, and cargo aircraft like AN 124, B744, and Beluga, predominantly operated by international airlines. Notably, Terminal 2 is equipped to accommodate Saudi Airlines B747-400 aircraft, particularly for Hajj Operations.

These capacity enhancements not only facilitate increased passenger traffic but also position the airport for accommodating larger aircraft in the future, thereby attracting international carriers to consider Ahmedabad for both regular passenger flights and technical halts. Ahmedabad also recently welcomed a new twice-weekly direct cargo flight operated by Ethiopian Airlines, enhancing connectivity with Addis Ababa.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport aspires to emerge as a premier aviation hub for western India, catering to the evolving needs of travellers and airlines alike. (Source: ANI)