Ahmedabad is India’s fifth-largest city, Gujarat’s commercial engine, and a city whose business community has an unusually strong relationship with air travel — partly because of the large Gujarati diaspora across the Middle East and Africa, and partly because the city’s diamond, textile, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries generate substantial executive movement. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport — named after the Iron Man of India who unified the country’s princely states — has been Gujarat’s primary aviation gateway since it opened in 1937 as one of the country’s earliest civil airports. Managed since 2020 by the Adani Group under a public-private partnership, it currently handles over 1.34 crore passengers annually and ranks as India’s seventh-busiest airport. A new integrated terminal costing ₹3,100 crore was set to begin construction by March 2026, targeting a doubling of annual capacity to 2 crore passengers.
Quick Overview: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad
| Detail | Information |
| Official Name | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) |
| Also Known As | Ahmedabad Airport / AMD Airport |
| Location | Hansol, Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| Serves | Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar |
| Airport Type | Public — International |
| IATA Code | AMD |
| ICAO Code | VAAH |
| Owner | Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Operator | Ahmedabad International Airport Limited (Adani Group) |
| Opened | 1937 |
| PPP Transfer to Adani | 2020 |
| Terminals | T1 (Domestic), T2 (International + some domestic) |
| T2 Area | 49,000 sq. metres |
| Aircraft Parking Bays | 45 |
| Aerobridges | 4 each at T1 and T2 |
| Elevation | 58 m / 189 ft AMSL |
| Distance from City | ~9 km north of central Ahmedabad |
| Passengers (2024–25) | 1,34,27,697 |
| Annual Capacity (current) | ~1.2 crore |
| New Integrated Terminal Cost | ₹3,100 crore (planned; construction start ~2026) |
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport Location: Hansol in North Ahmedabad
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is located at Hansol, approximately 9 to 12 kilometres north of central Ahmedabad. The airport address is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Hansol, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380003. Gandhinagar, the state capital, is approximately 25 kilometres from the airport, as is the GIFT City financial zone.
The airport’s position in Hansol — north of the Sabarmati river and the old city core — places it near NH-48 (the Ahmedabad–Delhi corridor) and the Mahatma Gandhi Expressway, giving it strong road access from Ahmedabad’s expanding northern and western zones. Elevation at 58 metres above sea level is low, and the flat Gujarat plains around the airport create no geographical constraints on operations.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport Code: IATA AMD and ICAO VAAH
The airport carries the IATA code AMD and the ICAO code VAAH. AMD is the universal booking identifier for Ahmedabad across all airline platforms, boarding passes, baggage tags, and cargo systems. VAAH places the airport in the VA western India block. The airport is officially abbreviated SVPIA — Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport — in official AAI and Adani documentation.
DigiYatra biometric passenger processing is active across both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, enabling passengers with registered profiles to move from entrance to boarding gate in as little as 12 minutes under the planned new terminal’s design targets.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport Terminal: T1, T2 and a Major New Terminal Coming
The airport currently operates two main passenger terminals connected by a 500-metre moving walkway:
Terminal 1 (Domestic): T1 is dedicated to domestic flight operations, covering 45,000 square metres with 32 check-in counters and four aerobridges. It has a peak-hour capacity of approximately 1,400 passengers. A Plaza Premium lounge opened here in December 2018. From 29 March 2026, Air India and Air India Express shifted all their Ahmedabad operations — including the 210 weekly domestic flights previously at T1 — to Terminal 2, reducing T1’s operator load while consolidating Air India’s experience at the newer international terminal.
Terminal 2 (International + Air India from March 2026): T2 was inaugurated on 5 July 2010 and opened for international operations on 15 September 2010. Modelled on Singapore Changi Airport, it won the Best Steel Structure award at the 2009 edition of its engineering award category. It spans 49,000 square metres, has four aerobridges, and handles international customs, immigration, and security. Air India’s shift to T2 from March 2026 means the terminal now handles both Air India’s domestic and international operations.
New Integrated Terminal (Planned): The most significant development at AMD is a planned new integrated terminal estimated at ₹3,100 crore, with construction targeted to begin by March 2026. The new terminal will replace the existing Gujsail terminal (to be relocated) and eventually lead to demolition of T1, with T2 expanded alongside. The new terminal is designed to nearly double annual capacity from 1.2 crore to 2 crore passengers, with over 10 aerobridges, expanded check-in counters, multiple security lanes, and larger lounges. Adani Airports projects handling 17 million passengers at AMD by 2026–27.
The runway taxiway was extended by 395 metres in March 2024 as an interim capacity improvement. A new 65-metre ATC tower is also planned.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport Connectivity: Airlines, Routes and Ground Transport
By Air: IndiGo operates as the operating base carrier at AMD with the highest frequency — 44 daily flights connecting Ahmedabad to Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, Kochi, Delhi, Goa, Hubballi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Chennai, Pune, Varanasi, Indore, Kuwait, and Muscat, among others. Air India is the focus city carrier. SpiceJet, Akasa Air, Air India Express, and other carriers also serve AMD. International connectivity is strong toward the Gulf — Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Doha, Riyadh, Jeddah — reflecting the large Gujarati diaspora in the Middle East. Routes to London, Singapore, New York, and other long-haul destinations are available via connecting hubs.
By Road: Uber and Ola operate from a marked pickup lane at the airport access road, with fares ranging ₹350 to ₹900 for in-city destinations. Pre-paid taxi counters at T2 arrivals fix sedan fares at ₹280 to ₹700 within Ahmedabad. AMTS city buses run dedicated AMD shuttles from Lal Darwaja and Kalupur at ₹25 to ₹60. GSRTC operates inter-city services with at least 12 daily Gandhinagar runs at ₹40 to ₹100. Ahmedabad’s BRTS network has a feeder stop at Sardar Patel Airport Circle.
By Rail: Ahmedabad Junction (Kalupur), approximately 9 kilometres from the airport, is one of the busiest railway stations in western India. Seven daily Vande Bharat and Shatabdi services connect to Mumbai, Delhi, and Jaipur. The combination of cab from the airport to the railway station (20 to 30 minutes) and onward train is a common travel pattern for inter-city movement from AMD.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport Amenities: International Standard at a Major Gateway
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport offers a comprehensive range of passenger amenities appropriate for India’s seventh-busiest airport. Multiple restaurants and cafes are operational in both terminals, serving domestic and international cuisine. Retail shops and duty-free outlets operate for departing international passengers. ATMs and currency exchange counters are in place. Passenger lounges are available — including the Plaza Premium Lounge at T1 and Air India’s lounge facilities. Wi-Fi is available across both terminals.
Wheelchair assistance and facilities for differently-abled passengers are provided. Trolleys are available free of charge. Medical assistance counters operate in the terminal. Child care rooms are available. Flight insurance and information counters operate in the landside zone.
The airport holds Level 4+ Transition carbon accreditation from Airport Council International — a sustainability certification reflecting Adani’s environmental commitments at the facility. A new technical block providing enhanced ATC capabilities is part of the infrastructure development pipeline.
FAQs: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
Q1. What is the IATA code for Ahmedabad Airport?
The IATA code is AMD and the ICAO code is VAAH. The official name is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, managed by Adani Airports’ subsidiary Ahmedabad International Airport Limited.
Q2. How many terminals does Ahmedabad Airport have?
Currently two — T1 for domestic flights and T2 for international operations (plus Air India domestic from March 2026). A new ₹3,100 crore integrated terminal is planned to begin construction in 2026, which will eventually replace T1.
Q3. How far is Ahmedabad Airport from the city centre?
The airport is approximately 9 to 12 km north of central Ahmedabad in Hansol. Cab travel to most city destinations takes 25 to 40 minutes.
Q4. Which international destinations are served from Ahmedabad Airport?
AMD has strong Gulf connectivity — Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Doha, Riyadh, and Jeddah are among key routes. Long-haul international connections to London, Singapore, and other cities are available via connecting hubs at Delhi, Mumbai, or Dubai.
Q5. Is DigiYatra available at Ahmedabad Airport?
Yes. DigiYatra biometric passenger processing is active at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, enabling faster entry and boarding for registered passengers.
