Daman to join India’s aviation map from June

Surat: Daman is set to script a new chapter in its connectivity story, with a Rs 97-crore civil airport ready for inauguration in early June, likely by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and its first commercial flight scheduled to depart for Delhi.The new airport in the coastal Union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu will initially be linked to Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, significantly improving access for tourists and industry in South Gujarat.The first flight on the opening day is expected to be operated on the Daman–Delhi sector. Connectivity to Mumbai and Ahmedabad will follow soon after.“The airport has come up on a 1.01 lakh square metre site, with a terminal building spread over 5,460 square metres.

It is a state-of-the-art facility with modern amenities,” an official privy to the development said. “The waiting area can accommodate 180 passengers and there is a VIP lounge for 16 persons.”The terminal will have 12 check-in counters, with provision to expand them to 16. The apron has parking space for two A320-size aircraft, while the parking area can accommodate 57 cars, the official said.Before the new facility was built, Daman had an airstrip administered by the Indian Coast Guard. After the airport becomes fully operational, its management will be taken over by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

“We have signed a memorandum of understanding with AAI, which will be responsible for operations and maintenance of Daman airport. Initially, the Surat airport director has been entrusted with this responsibility,” the official said. “We are awaiting confirmation from the PMO for the inauguration date.”The airport has been designed and developed by a leading architecture firm. According to sources, Alliance Air is expected to operate flights on the Daman-Delhi and Mumbai-Daman-Ahmedabad routes.Once operational, the airport is expected to give a strong push to tourism and upcoming development projects in the Union territory, firmly placing Daman on India’s aviation map.