Three years after Hirasar’s greenfield airport began operations, Rajkot is still waiting for its first scheduled international service. The gap has prompted the local business community to seek direct overseas connectivity, with Dubai and Bangkok among the routes being discussed. The issue is bigger than air travel: for Saurashtra, international links could influence trade, tourism, medical travel and the region’s ability to connect with global markets.
The airport was inaugurated in July 2023 after years of planning and construction. Its development was conceived as a replacement for Rajkot’s constrained city airport and as a long-term aviation asset for the wider Saurashtra region. Government project documents describe Hirasar as a greenfield international airport designed to support regional economic activity and improved movement of people and goods. Yet infrastructure alone does not create an international air network. The Airports Authority of India’s recent documentation confirms that there are currently no international operations at Rajkot International Airport, with domestic carriers serving the facility. The immediate constraint is therefore commercial as much as regulatory: an airline must assess passenger demand, aircraft availability, route economics, slots and expected yields before committing capacity. A campaign by the Rajkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry is now seeking to bring airlines and aviation stakeholders into that conversation, with the aim of securing an overseas service before Diwali. The proposed destinations include Dubai and Bangkok, while wider Gulf connectivity is being considered for its relevance to Saurashtra’s business and diaspora networks.
There are signs that the regulatory side is moving towards readiness. Customs arrangements have been approved, while immigration infrastructure is undergoing the required assessment. That could reduce the administrative hurdles once an airline submits a viable international route proposal. For the local economy, the potential gains extend beyond passengers. Manufacturers and exporters could benefit from easier access to international markets, while medical travellers and visitors could avoid additional surface journeys to Ahmedabad or other gateways. Better connectivity can also make the region more attractive for investment and business travel.
But urban and environmental considerations should remain part of the calculation. A successful international airport needs dependable road access, public transport connections and efficient passenger transfers. Otherwise, increased air traffic can simply shift congestion to airport approaches. Likewise, new connectivity should complement rail and other lower-emission modes for journeys where aviation is not essential. The airport’s international status is therefore less about the label on the terminal and more about whether airlines see a sustainable market. With domestic demand already established, the next phase will depend on converting regional economic potential into a commercially viable route that can operate beyond the festive-season spotlight
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Rajkot International Airport Seeks First Overseas Link
