In a move to alleviate congestion at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport, 70 domestic flights will be temporarily shifted to Terminal 2, which was originally designed to handle only international flights. The shift comes as part of an effort to address growing overcrowding at the airport, particularly in Terminal 1, which handles the majority of domestic flights.
The airport, which currently operates 250 flights daily, sees an average of 35,000 passengers passing through its terminals each day. However, Terminal 1 often becomes congested, especially during peak hours, causing difficulties for passengers, particularly those arriving to meet friends or family. This congestion has led to traffic jams around the airport, further exacerbating the travel experience.
Terminal 2, which handles about 30 international flights daily and serves around 7,000 passengers, will now accommodate these 70 domestic flights as a temporary measure. While the move is expected to alleviate some pressure on Terminal 1, it may lead to increased congestion in Terminal 2, especially given the existing traffic flow through the international terminal.
The shift of domestic flights to Terminal 2 highlights the need for infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the growing number of passengers at the airport. As passenger numbers continue to rise, the airport management is likely to consider long-term solutions to address the space constraints and improve the overall passenger experience, including potential expansion projects or the development of additional terminals.
While this temporary solution aims to reduce overcrowding, it is clear that Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport will need to continue adapting to meet the increasing demands of both domestic and international travelers.