Rajkot International Airport, which was launched in July 2023, has been keenly looking forward to the beginning of international flights; however, over two years after the opening, the airport has not witnessed any international flights other than domestic flights. The airport is specifically created to create an opening to the global connectivity in Gujarat, with all the modern facilities, such as customs and immigration services included, but the international air services are still suspended, and local businesses and travellers are looking forward to the airport that would provide a better connection with the world.
At the moment, the airport efficiently serves domestic flights that serve cities in India. But the introduction of international flights is put off, and stakeholders are frustrated with the idea that the airport emerged as one of the primary economic growth, tourism, and business travelling influences in the area. The airport management body of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is also said to be considering ways of attracting airlines into initiating international flights, as such international services would greatly enhance connectivity and the economic climate of the region.
A flight that was proposed between Rajkot and China via Kolkata is also a route that has been referred to as a good proposal. This is a proposal that is being considered, and if accepted, this would be the first international service offered by Rajkot. IndiGo Airlines will assume the Rajkot -Ganzhou (China) flight four days per week via a stopover at Kolkata, which is likely to begin in October 2025. Local businesses, traders and the community are keenly awaiting the approval of this route as they consider it a very important point of trade and tourism.
The lack of international flights has led to the debate of the necessity to take initiative in the name of luring airlines. The incentive considerations of AAI will seek to motivate the carriers to begin operating to Rajkot, with possible incentives being lower landing charges, operational support, or promotional assistance. These efforts are perceived to be necessary in order to make sure that Rajkot is able to easily become one of the main international travelling destinations, hence aligning with the overall objectives of Gujarat to have an international exposure.
The airport is more than a transport centre to the people of Rajkot and their businesses because it is a window to the outside world. It is expected that the introduction of international flights into the international routes with the proposal of the flight from Rajkot to China through Kolkata will pave new trade, tourism and cultural routes. Hopefully, the stakeholders are optimistic about the decisions and possible incentives that will be made to open the long-awaited international operations and turn Rajkot International Airport into a fully functional global gateway.
