Shortage of Boeing planes delaying direct flights to London,New York

Later,he unveiled a 18-foot tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the airport. The statue was built at a cost of Rs 50 lakh by the Airport Authority of India (AAI). It was sculpted by noted sculptor Ram Sutar.

Patel further said he had not seen any initiatives from the Gujarat government for developing intra-state air connectivity,in support to the Centre’s efforts for the same. “Last time,when I was here to inaugurate the new terminal,I had said that state government also has to come forward for intra-state connectivity and support the Central government’s efforts,” Patel said. “The Central government connects the entire country. So if the state government,by giving some subsidy,helps for intra-Gujarat connectivity,it would be good,” the minister said,adding that he had so far only received a note on the project from the state.

After a inauguration ceremony,AAI chairman V P Agarwal announced new plans for the development at the airport. “We are going to set up a new control tower at the airport and five to six new radars would be set up. We are also going to set up a new taxiway where at least 25 more aircraft can be parked. Moreover,we are building two hangers and a night station for the aircraft repairing,” he said,adding,“The Air 380 may land in the SVPI airport soon and hence we are going to do some carpeting on the runway.”