Until very recently Surat Airport was catering to the city of Surat, only as a Domestic Airport. However, Customs and Immigration facility had been arranged time & again on adequate notice for outbound and inbound Non-Scheduled International flights & Charter flights.

Taking serious note of the need for International Connectivity and keeping in mind with the new development work that had taken place at Surat Airport, which was also suitable for International operations, the Airport Authority of India principally approved Surat Airport for 'Limited International' operations and further requested the Central Board of Excise & Customs (CBIC now) and Bureau of Immigrations to set a shop & equip Surat Airport with Customs & Immigrations infrastructure and the required manpower.

It was in June 2018, it was then announced by official Gazette Notification that Surat Airport was approved as a Customs & Immigration Airport for limited International Operations, allowing Indian Airlines only to connect with Surat & short distance, International destinations.

As in anticipation, prior to this announcement, although painstakingly slow, there was a reasonable amount of logistical progress made to the effect of earmarking a secured zone for International Operations. Secured offices for Customs, Immigration suitable enough to handle few International flights daily & allowing the functionality of Limited International operations on regular basis, were squeezed in, in whatever limited space that was available on the upper level of the then terminal building. With the official announcement made, Staff, Training, Equipment & Operating Systems were all set in motion for an earliest operational capability.

CBEC (CBIC Now) - Central Board of Excise & Customs made a slow progress to this effect and kept the matter pending for a very long time and only following the Gazette declaration, it officially approved Surat Airport as a Customs Notified Port for International operations.

After several failed announcements of the commencement date for International Operations to begin in the year 2018; finally, and putting all the pieces together, Surat Airport officially started its first ever International Operation from 16 February 2019 by Air India Express, connecting with Sharjah


Customs & Immigration:

As per an arrangement made between the GoG - Government of Gujarat and AAI - Airport Authority of India, it had been agreed upon that the GuPo - Gujarat Police will provide the requisite personnel as Customs & Immigration staff for the functioning of Limited International operations.

In a joint effort, an amalgamation of Senior & Experienced officers from Excise department, Immigration Bureau and the State Police and selected officials have been specifically trained and have been designated for a smooth Customs & Immigration process at Surat Airport.


Airport Security:

As per an earlier MOU signed between AAI & GoI, Airport Security was to be provided by the Gujarat State and accordingly, the Airport was jointly served by GSP - Gujarat State Police & SRPF - State Reserve Police Force.

Passenger security-check and baggage screening for Domestic as well as International operations was done by Gujarat Police (GuPo) & in a combined effort the State Reserve Police (SRP), provided all around peripheral security of the airport premises on round the clock basis.

Since the airport is operated by AAI - Airport Authority of India, a central government agency, the Airport hence should have already been under the cover of ASG - Airport Security Group a special division of  CISF - Central Industrial Security Force, as is the case with most other Airports in India. However, other than technical and financial reasons, CISF cover remained exceptionally elusive for reasons best known to Home Ministry, a decade after as a functional airport and even after the commencement of International Operations as a Customs Airport.

MOCA - Ministry of Civil Aviation had long been contemplating, as a policy decision, to cover more Airports under CISF protection; as the central agency is sufficiently staffed, well equipped, & better trained to deal with extreme situations or exigency.

With the recent runway extension, increased passenger traffic, commencement of International Operations and increase in flight frequency from 4 flights to more than 50 flights daily and Airlines seeking overnight aircraft parking facility, it became highly imperative for AAI & Home Ministry to sanction security cover by the CISF at the earliest for better safety, security & seamless 24 hour operation at Surat Airport.

Although, BCAS - Bureau of Civil Aviation Safety, announced in February 2019 that Surat Airport is to be provided CISF cover within a short period of a month. In all probability the above facility was likely to come in effect earliest, only by the end of the year 2019, which did not happen & worse was further stalled with the implosion of the pandemic in early 2020, bringing evrything to a standstill for 24 months.
 

However, the 9th of February 2022 brought in some long due news, that brought in cheer to the gloomy days of the pandemic.
 

APS - Airport Sector of CISF (Central Industrial Security Force), which handles Airport security of more than 65 airports under AAI - Airport Authority of India & private operators; finally took charge of Surat Airport from Gujarat State Police, to provide total security cover to the passengers & the airport premises.
 

This brought in a remarkable "upgrade" to the status of Surat airport, opening avenues for night parking of aircraft (provided with several other requirements), International flight operations and of course enhanced security cover by a professional agency & it's team and even a stronger reason for the airport to have a full fledged international operations.
 

Eventually these small milestones did help in achieving the final goal, as Surat Airport was officially given the status of a full fledged international airport in January, 2024.
 

With this Surat International Airport was now aptly secured for International Airlines to operate directly to & from Surat city.  

Travel Advisory Note:

Security Check Timings & Baggage Policy:

Please refer to the specific requirements of Airport Security and the Airlines announced by them from time to time and strictly adhere to them. 

CAUTION:

Gujarat is a DRY State and so is Surat City being in the same state, POSESSION & CONSUMPTION of ALCOHOL is PROHIBITED.

Out-of-State & International Travelers MUST have Authorized PERMITS &/or hold an ID/International Passport to obtain one.

Only after obtaining an Authorised Permit, alcohol then can be procurred in the prescribed quantity from Government Authorised Permit Shops within the City. 

For more information contact Gujarat State Prohibition Office, Airlines flying to Surat, Airport Manager, Travel Agent or Indian Embassy, Consulate or Overseas mission.