📌 Project Overview & Strategic Location
- Located at Navagam village, approximately 80 km southwest of Ahmedabad and just 20 km from Dholera Smart City (DSIR), the airport spans ≈1,426 hectares, including 75 hectares designated for commercial development like hotels, offices, and a cargo aerocity.
- Developed by Dholera International Airport Company Ltd. (DIACL)—a public‑private entity with AAI (51%), Gujarat Government (33%), and NICDC Trust (16%)—this greenfield airport anchors India’s second-largest smart industrial hub.
🚧 Phase I: Features & Development Status
- Runway & Terminal: A 3,200 m runway designed for Code‑4E aircraft (e.g. Boeing 777), with integrated passenger and cargo terminals and ATC tower, is nearing completion.
- Timeline: Over 80% of civil work is done as of mid‑2025, with full Phase I operational by late 2025 or early 2026.
- Cargo Focus: DIACL aims to begin international air cargo operations by June–July 2025, with a ground-handling terminal (≈10,700 m²) under tender.
📈 Capacity & Future Expansion
- Passenger Volume: Phase I is expected to handle ~1.5–2 million passengers annually.
- Future Scale: Planned expansion includes a second runway (≈4,000 m) targeting an eventual 50 million passengers per year, making it one of the largest airports in India.
🌐 Strategic Importance & Regional Impact
1. 🔗 Alleviating Airport Congestion
- The airport is designed to decongest Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, channeling new passenger and cargo traffic from the Western Industrial Corridor.
2. 🚛 Industrial & Logistics Synergy
- Tailored to serve the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and Dholera SIR, the airport enhances logistics for manufacturing, exports, and cross-border trade.
3. 🌍 Global Access & Business Mobility
- By connecting Dholera to international air routes, the airport is positioned to attract global investors, business travelers, and industrial talent.
✅ Why It Matters for Dholera Smart City
- Boosting Economy: Accelerates global accessibility for investors and manufacturers in Dholera SIR, scaling industrial operations and job creation.
- Enhancing Real Estate Value: With Phase I completion imminent, real estate and commercial demand within Dholera Metro City and surrounding zones is expected to surge.
- Multimodal Connectivity: Linked seamlessly with the Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway, freight rail corridor, and nearby ports like Mundra and Kandla—creating a robust logistics ecosystem.
📅 Timeline & Milestones
| Milestone | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Feasibility and technical clearance | 2010–2015 |
| DIACL formation & project sanction | 2012–2019 |
| Phase I tenders awarded (₹ 1,305 Cr) | 2021–2022 |
| Terminal & ATC awarded (₹ 333 Cr) | 2024 |
| Cargo operations launch | June–July 2025 |
| Full Phase I Operational | Late 2025 – early 2026 |
| Expansion to full capacity | Post-2026 (up to 50M pax/year) |
🌿 Sustainable & Smart Design
- The airport incorporates eco-conscious infrastructure: solar usage, rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient construction, and green terminal design.
🟢 Final Summary
Dholera International Airport is more than infrastructure—it is a transformative catalyst for Gujarat’s smart city ambitions. With Phase I nearing completion, planned cargo operations in mid‑2025, and impressive future scalability, the airport is positioned to become a key driver of trade, investment, and economic momentum across the Dholera–DMIC corridor. For real estate investors, industrialists, and urban planners, it signals the fast-approaching arrival of India’s next aviation and industrial hub.
