Jamnagar airport has been designated as an international airport for 10 days to facilitate the arrival of global dignitaries attending the three-day pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, commencing on March 1.
This designation allows for the welcoming of international flights from February 25 to March 5, as confirmed by an airport official. The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Home Affairs have collaborated to establish a Custom, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) facility at the airport to accommodate the influx of international guests.
Despite being a defence airport, Jamnagar already permits commercial flights, with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) having constructed a passenger terminal building for this purpose. However, for this special occasion, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has granted access to its sensitive "technical" area.
The technical area can accommodate up to three aircraft simultaneously, while the civilian area can host either six small aircraft or three larger ones. The airport anticipates a significant increase in aircraft movements, with 140 arrivals and departures expected on Friday alone, compared to the usual six movements.
Among the notable guests expected to attend the event are international figures such as Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Saudi Aramco’s chairperson Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Disney CEO Bob Iger, BlackRock chairman Larry Fink, Ivanka Trump, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Indian celebrities including Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Shah Rukh Khan, M.S. Dhoni, and Sania Nehwal are also on the guest list.
To accommodate the influx of guests, the AAI has expanded the passenger building and increased staff across various departments. The airport has also undergone renovations, including restroom upgrades and the installation of artwork.
Several private jets have transported guests, and commercial airlines like Air India Express and Star Air have increased their flight services to accommodate the event's demands.
Additionally, SpiceJet operated a cargo flight to transport international foods, with four cargo flights scheduled for the week-long period. March 4 is expected to be another busy day for departures, but regular commercial passenger flights will continue uninterrupted.
Follow us
