Surat International Airport, Surat: Terminal, Code, Location, Connectivity and Amenities

Surat handles more rough diamonds by value than almost any other city on earth. The diamond polishing industry processes over 90% of the world’s cut and polished diamonds here, with billions of dollars of stones flowing through workshops in Varachha and Katargam. Add to that one of India’s most productive textile manufacturing clusters, a thriving chemical industry, and a Patidar business community with deep Gulf connections, and what you have is a city that generates serious aviation demand entirely distinct from leisure tourism. Surat International Airport — granted international status by Union Cabinet approval on 15 December 2023 and formally inaugurated in upgraded form by PM Modi the same day — now carries that demand with a tripled terminal, Gulf routes, and 17.24 lakh passengers in 2024–25, a 24.9% jump over the previous year.

Quick Overview: Surat International Airport

Surat International Airport Location: Magdalla on the Tapi Estuary Coast

Surat International Airport is located in Magdalla, a neighbourhood on the southwestern outskirts of Surat, approximately 11 to 15 kilometres from the city centre. The coordinates are 21°07′04″N, 72°44′43″E, at an elevation of just 16 feet above mean sea level — the flat coastal terrain where Surat meets the Gulf of Khambhat. The airport covers 770 acres.

Magdalla’s position between the Tapi River estuary and the Arabian Sea coastline makes the airport operationally dependent on coastal weather patterns, including monsoon conditions that can temporarily affect visibility. The neighbourhood has a Dutch cemetery nearby — a reminder that Surat was once among the most important trading ports in Asia, with Dutch, British, Portuguese, and Mughal interests competing here in the 17th century.

For Surat’s diamond industry, the airport’s geography matters commercially. Diamond traders flying to Antwerp, Dubai, Tel Aviv, and Mumbai previously faced the inconvenience of driving 280 km to Mumbai airport or 260 km to Ahmedabad. The expansion of STV into an international airport with Gulf connectivity directly reduces that friction. The airport’s catchment extends beyond Surat city to South Gujarat textile towns including Navsari, Valsad, Bharuch, and Narmada district.

Surat International Airport Code: IATA STV and ICAO VASU

The airport’s IATA code is STV and its ICAO code is VASU. STV is the booking identifier across all airline platforms for Surat. VASU places it in the VA western India block. The airport’s IATA name is Surat International Airport following the December 2023 status upgrade — distinguishing it from the earlier designation of Surat Airport (domestic). Travellers should confirm their booking shows STV to avoid confusion with Vadodara (BDQ) or Ahmedabad (AMD).

Surat International Airport Terminal: Tripled in Size, Inaugurated December 2023

The most significant event in Surat Airport’s recent history is the terminal expansion inaugurated by PM Modi on 17 December 2023 — the same day the Union Cabinet formally granted the airport international status and Air India Express launched the first international flight from STV to Dubai. The expansion project, costing ₹353 crore, tripled the terminal building from its original 8,474 square metres to 25,520 square metres.

The expanded terminal is a single integrated building handling both domestic and international flows on separate levels. Post-expansion specifications include 20 check-in counters (up significantly from the previous count), 5 aerobridges with Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS), 13 immigration counters, 2 baggage carousels in the arrivals hall, 2 elevators, and 2 escalators. Peak-hour capacity is 1,800 passengers. A 120-seat lounge and Coffee Culture café are among the commercial facilities added.

The airport has been certified with GRIHA 4-Star (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) status, reflecting sustainability features including energy-efficient systems, water conservation, and green building standards. CCTV surveillance covers the terminal comprehensively.

The original airport’s history stretches to the early 1970s when the Government of Gujarat built it. Safari Airways (owned by Vijaypat Singhania of Raymond Group) flew DC-3s to Bombay and Bhavnagar in the 1970s. Vayudoot and Gujarat Airways operated through the 1990s before discontinuing. Commercial services relaunched on 6 May 2007 after the runway was extended from 1,400 metres to 2,250 metres, with an Indian Airlines Airbus A319 flight to Delhi flagged off by Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel. A new terminal building opened in February 2009. The December 2023 expansion is the third major phase of infrastructure investment.

Surat International Airport Connectivity: IndiGo, Air India Express and Star Air

By Air: Three airlines operate scheduled services from STV as of June 2026. IndiGo is the dominant carrier with approximately 72 scheduled weekly departures — the highest frequency airline at STV by a significant margin. IndiGo operates non-stop flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Goa, and Jaipur, among other domestic destinations. Air India Express operates the international Gulf routes including Dubai (DXB), which was the first international service launched from STV in December 2023. Star Air operates regional domestic connectivity. Bangkok (BKK) is among the international destinations served, reflecting South Gujarat’s trade and diaspora links to Southeast Asia. Total: 15 domestic and international destinations served by 3 airlines as of early 2026.

By Road: The airport is approximately 11 to 15 km from Surat city centre. Pre-paid taxis and car rental services are available from the terminal. App-based cabs (Ola, Uber) operate to and from the airport. Travel time from central Surat is approximately 25 to 45 minutes depending on traffic — the Magdalla Road and Ring Road access corridors can be congested during peak hours. Hotels at multiple price points are clustered near the airport in Magdalla and Adajan areas.

By Rail: Surat Railway Station is on the Western Railway main line and one of the busiest stations in Gujarat — connected to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and beyond. The station is approximately 13 to 15 km from the airport. A cab from the airport to Surat station takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.

Surat International Airport Amenities: Upgraded International Terminal

The December 2023 terminal expansion brought Surat Airport’s amenity profile in line with mid-tier international airports. The 120-seat lounge offers comfortable seating for eligible passengers. Coffee Culture cafe and multiple restaurant and snack counters serve both domestic and international departing travellers. Retail shops carry souvenirs, clothing, jewellery, and travel essentials — appropriate for a city known for textile and diamond culture.

Duty-free outlets serve international departing passengers with a limited selection of perfumes, liquor, and souvenirs — smaller than major metro duty-free operations, so large duty-free purchases are better made at connecting hubs. Immigration counters (13 in the expanded terminal) process international arrivals and departures. Free trolleys are available. Medical facilities are in place. Lost and found baggage services operate. Wi-Fi is available in the terminal.

The 5 aerobridges with VDGS make boarding and deboarding significantly more efficient than older terminal configurations. The GRIHA 4-star certification means environmental sustainability is built into the facility’s operations.

FAQs: Surat International Airport

Q1. What is the IATA code for Surat International Airport?

A: The IATA code is STV and the ICAO code is VASU. The airport is located at Magdalla, approximately 11 to 15 km southwest of Surat city centre.

Q2. When did Surat Airport become an international airport?

A: The Union Cabinet approved international airport status on 15 December 2023. PM Modi inaugurated the expanded terminal on 17 December 2023, the same day Air India Express launched the first international flight from STV to Dubai.

Q3. Which airlines currently fly from Surat Airport?

A: IndiGo (dominant carrier, ~72 weekly departures to multiple domestic cities), Air India Express (Dubai and Gulf international routes), and Star Air (regional domestic routes) operate from STV as of mid-2026. Confirm current schedules before booking.

Q4. How large is the expanded terminal at Surat Airport?

A: The terminal expanded from 8,474 sq. metres to 25,520 sq. metres after the ₹353 crore expansion, tripling its size. It now has 20 check-in counters, 5 aerobridges, 13 immigration counters, and a peak-hour capacity of 1,800 passengers.

Q5. What international destinations are served from Surat Airport?

A: Dubai is the primary international destination served, with Air India Express operating the route. Bangkok and additional Gulf destinations including Sharjah are also served or in active development. Confirm current international schedules before booking as STV’s international network is still expanding.