Surat Airport (STV) in 2026 — the diamond city's domestic and Gulf network, terminal and transport
By Aarav Sharma (Aarav Sharma writes about Indian airport infrastructure, tier-2 and regional hubs, and the route networks of Indian carriers. He tracks AAI terminal projects, UDAN regional connectivity awards and the Gulf expansion of IndiGo, Air India Express and Akasa for FlightGPT readers.) · Published · Last updated · 11 min read
Surat is India's diamond capital and one of the fastest-growing tier-2 airports — a single terminal that went international in 2023, now flying to Dubai and Sharjah alongside a thick domestic schedule. Here is the honest 2026 picture.
Quick answer
Surat Airport (IATA STV, ICAO VASU) is the airport for Surat, Gujarat — the city that cuts and polishes the bulk of the world's diamonds. It sits in Magdalla, about 12 km south of the city centre, a 20-30 minute drive. STV operates from a single integrated terminal whose expansion was inaugurated in December 2023, lifting it to international status. As of 2026 the international network is Gulf-focused — Dubai (IndiGo and Air India Express) and a seasonal Sharjah service (Air India Express) — on top of a busy domestic schedule to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and other metros. Air India Express has also announced a Bangkok route. Always re-check the live schedule on the airport and airline sites — Surat's network has been changing every season.
Where Surat sits — and why the airport grew so fast
Surat is one of India's richest tier-2 cities, built on diamonds and textiles — more than 90% of the world's rough diamonds are cut and polished here. That creates an unusual flyer mix: diamond traders shuttling to Mumbai and Antwerp, textile businessmen, and a very large population of Gujaratis working in the Gulf who fly home for festivals and family events. For years that demand leaked to Mumbai (a 4-5 hour road or rail journey away) and Ahmedabad. The push to grow STV — and especially to give it customs and immigration — was about capturing that traffic locally.
The airport is operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The expanded terminal, inaugurated on 17 December 2023, has a built-up area of roughly 25,500 m² and is designed for about 1,800 peak-hour passengers (1,200 domestic and 600 international), with an annual throughput target in the millions. That upgrade is what unlocked regular international flying from Surat. For the wider Gujarat picture, our Ahmedabad-base Gujarat itinerary shows how STV fits alongside Ahmedabad and Rajkot.
The terminal — one building, two flows
STV runs everything through one integrated terminal that separates domestic and international passengers. On the domestic side you'll find the usual AAI-standard kit: check-in counters, CISF security, a small airside food and retail area, and two baggage carousels in the arrivals hall. The international wing adds immigration and customs counters, used for the Dubai and Sharjah flights.
It is a functional regional terminal, not a mega-hub — expect a calm, walkable experience rather than the sprawl of Delhi T3 or Mumbai T2. Lounges and retail are limited compared with metro airports, so don't plan a long pre-flight meal here. If you're connecting onward from a metro, build a sensible buffer; Surat itself processes quickly outside peak banks. For how connection baggage works when you transit, see our explainer on codeshare vs interline baggage.
Domestic network — who flies where
The domestic schedule is the backbone of STV. As of 2026 the main operators are IndiGo, Air India / Air India Express and the regional carrier Star Air. Typical non-stop domestic links include:
- Mumbai — the highest-frequency route, the workhorse for diamond and textile business.
- Delhi — multiple daily, the main northbound trunk.
- Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai — south-India business and IT links.
- Kolkata, Jaipur, Goa and other leisure/seasonal points depending on the season.
Frequencies and city pairs shift each schedule — Star Air in particular tends to add and drop tier-2 city pairs. Treat any list as indicative and confirm on the airline site. Compare live fares and timings on FlightGPT before you commit, especially around Diwali and the Gujarati wedding season when Surat fares spike.
Gulf and international flights — the real picture
International flying from Surat is squarely Gulf-led, reflecting the city's huge migrant-worker and trading links:
- Dubai (DXB) — the flagship international route, served non-stop by both IndiGo and Air India Express as of 2026. See our Surat to Dubai route guide for fares and timing patterns.
- Sharjah (SHJ) — operated by Air India Express, historically as a seasonal route (broadly the October-April winter window). Verify it's running for your dates.
- Bangkok (BKK) — Air India Express announced a Surat-Bangkok service; treat it as newly launched and confirm the live schedule before booking, as start dates for new tier-2 international routes often slip.
For Gulf flyers it's worth understanding the aircraft you'll get — these are narrow-body A320/737 services, not wide-bodies. Our piece on wide-body vs narrow-body on India-Gulf routes explains the comfort trade-offs. And if you're an NRI worker doing this run regularly, our Dubai destination guide covers the arrival-side basics.
Getting to and from the airport
STV is in Magdalla, on the Dumas Road corridor, roughly 12 km from central Surat — typically a 20-30 minute drive depending on traffic and which part of the city you're in (Adajan, Vesu, Athwa and the diamond bourse areas are all reasonably close).
- Taxi / app cabs — the default. A prepaid taxi counter operates outside the arrivals hall; app cabs (Uber/Ola) also serve the airport. City fares are modest by metro standards.
- BRTS / Sitilink buses — Surat's bus rapid-transit and city bus services reach the airport area with limited frequency, often requiring a change near VR Mall on Dumas Road. Workable on a budget but not ideal with luggage or tight timing.
- Auto-rickshaws — available, negotiate or insist on the meter.
For early-morning Gulf departures, pre-book a cab the night before — Surat's app-cab supply thins out before dawn.
Practical tips for flying STV in 2026
- International check-in: arrive 3 hours before Gulf departures — immigration and customs at a tier-2 terminal can bottleneck when two international flights bank together.
- Diamond/valuables: if you're a trader carrying goods, follow customs declaration rules strictly; Surat's customs officers are experienced with the diamond trade but documentation must be clean.
- Seasonal routes: Sharjah and any new international service can be seasonal or get rescheduled. Confirm before booking non-refundable hotels at the other end.
- Festival peaks: Diwali, Navratri and wedding season see sharp fare spikes on both domestic and Gulf routes — book early.
- Verify everything: as of 2026, re-check the schedule on the AAI Surat page and the airline site; this airport's network is still maturing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the IATA code for Surat airport?
Surat Airport's IATA code is STV (ICAO: VASU). It serves Surat in Gujarat from Magdalla, about 12 km south of the city centre.
Does Surat airport have international flights?
Yes. Surat went international in 2023. As of 2026 it flies to Dubai (IndiGo and Air India Express) and Sharjah (Air India Express, historically seasonal), with a Bangkok service announced by Air India Express. Always verify the current schedule on the airline and airport sites.
How far is Surat airport from the city?
Surat Airport is in Magdalla on Dumas Road, about 12 km from the city centre — typically a 20-30 minute drive. A prepaid taxi counter, app cabs and limited BRTS/Sitilink bus links serve the airport.
Which airlines fly from Surat?
As of 2026 the main carriers are IndiGo, Air India / Air India Express and the regional airline Star Air. IndiGo and Air India Express handle the Gulf routes; the mix on domestic city pairs changes each season.
Can I fly Surat to Dubai non-stop?
Yes. As of 2026 both IndiGo and Air India Express operate non-stop Surat-Dubai flights on narrow-body aircraft. See FlightGPT's Surat-to-Dubai route guide and confirm live fares and timings before booking.
Is the Surat-Sharjah flight year-round?
The Air India Express Surat-Sharjah service has historically run as a seasonal route, broadly across the October-April winter window. Check that it operates for your specific travel dates before booking.