Mumbai06 Nov 22 1 Traveller Economy
Showing International Flight from Ahmedabad
About Ahmedabad
The city of Ahmedabad is known to be the fifth largest in India and is quite the commercial hub of the state. It is easily one of the fastest-growing cities in India, which also plays a centre for education and various industries. Even though it is not the capital of the state, Ahmedabad has immense scope for development and has been rapidly growing. The city plays an excellent host to a traveller who wishes to experience more of the city's history, development and spirituality. While the development sphere continues to expand in the city, the authorities are further following the Swachcha Bharat campaigns to maintain a neat town.
Ahmedabad is impeccably connected with the rest of the major cities in India. Besides, the international flight connectivity from Ahmedabad is excellent. Reaching the city is easy from all means of transport. As for accommodations, abundant options are ranging from luxury hotels to hostels for all kinds of travellers. You can opt for a fun staycation by booking your hotels in Ahmedabad and make the most of your time in the city. The city also has some great educational institutions that one can consider. In fact, the student crowd in Ahmedabad is rising as the opportunities are immense.
Best time to visit Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad's summers can get pretty rough and hot, but the monsoon and winter are equally pleasant. Interestingly, the Gujaratis actually have specific dishes for every season. For summer, aam ras and dishes made from mango. As for winter, their famous undiyo takes over the kitchens and streets! The monsoon also has some cool street food that one can indulge in, when in the city.
Monsoons are typically dedicated to fun street snacks such as roasted corn, boiled corn and some essential roasted dishes. You can primarily find these on the streets as several vendors indulge in selling smokey flavoured street snacks. During this time, the city also welcomes festivals such as Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami, which are celebrated with gusto.
Undoubtedly though, winter becomes the best season to visit Ahmedabad as it comes with a plethora of cultural relevance as well as sublime atmosphere. The temperature actually drops down to 5-20 degree Celsius, so do pack thermal wear for your trip. Not to mention how festivals such as Navratri, Diwali also take place during the winter months. This means you can actually indulge in some fun Garba as well as dress up for the occasion. Navratri food is another reason why you would want to take a trip to Ahmedabad during the winters.
Places to see in Ahmedabad
Gandhi Ashram
The Sabarmati Ashram, popularly known as the Gandhi Ashram is the place founded by Mahatma Gandhi. What makes this one of the major tourist attractions of Ahmedabad is the rich historical relevance it holds. The premise of the ashram has teachings of Gandhiji etched on the walls. Interestingly, the ashram continues to work with the principles set by the freedom fighter as the premise also contributes to the handicrafts market with their handmade products. In fact, the ashram also has a handmade paper factory and a spinning wheel factory located within the premise.
ISKCON
The Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Rama is prevalent in many parts of the country and even the world. The inspiring stories of the two deities as well as their teachings resonate with many followers. The temple is beautiful and has a festive air which will soothe your soul.
Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum
Established by Muni Shri Punyavijayi and Shri Kasturbhai Lalbhai, the museum is a haven for a bibliograph as it is an abode to priceless book collections, manuscripts and text materials from a long time ago. From Vedic scriptures of Jainism to poetic verses written in ancient India, the manuscripts and published literary work would be of interest to you if you're an avid reader or someone interested in history.
Auto World Vintage Car Museum
At the Auto World Vintage Car Museum, you will find yourself in awe of some of the swanky rides owned by Shri Pranlal Bhogilal, who opted to convert his private collection to public viewing. Not only will you get to see some fancy rides such as Maybach, Cadillac, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Chrysler, Lincoln, etc. but will also get to take one for a spin! Of course, you'll have to pay a token to take one of the cars out for a drive.
Bhadra Fort
The Bhadra Fort was once a pristine palace with lush gardens and gorgeous sights. Built back in 1411, the fort vicinity also has a temple of Goddess Bhadrakali. The fort has some historical significance as well as some spiritual relevance. One can take up a stroll around the Bhadra Fort and learn more about the rich backstory.
Calico Museum of Textiles
Ahmedabad or rather Gujarat, in general, is known for their contribution to the textile industry. In fact, they are the frontrunners in the textile industry. Many might assume that credit goes to Mahatma Gandhi's Swadeshi movement, which enabled them to opt for handwoven khadi garments and produce the same. However, Ahmedabad's history with textiles dates back to the 1700s! Please take a tour through the Calico Museum of Textiles to learn more about their history and more.
Things to do in Ahmedabad
Drive-in theatres are a big hit here. You can probably rent a vehicle and head straight to Drive-In Road in the city but ensure to check the show timings before making a plan to watch a movie. Law Gardens is a bustling capital for the shopaholic in you. As long as you can handle some impeccable haggling, Law Gardens is the best place to shop Gujarati ensembles and clothes representing their culture. From glasswork on the fabric to shimmery outfits, you will have a lot of options to pick from at this shopping street.
A heritage walk is usually conducted in the city where you are taken through a tour of some of the historical streets of the town. The walk is organised by Ahmedabad's municipal corporation and happens daily. The walk starts at Swaminarayan Temple in Kalupur and stretches up to the Jama Masjid. You can choose a day of leisure by hanging out at the Victoria Garden. It is close to the Bhadra Fort.
Food and Restaurants in Ahmedabad
Gujaratis fondness towards food is no big secret. They love food and are always game to explore the variety. In fact, much recently, a man found fame for selling pineapple and rabdi sandwiches! Speaking of which, if you do wish to check out this melange of flavours then you should head to Manek Sandwich in the city's Manek Chowk. For lip-smacking Gujarati thalis, you should check out Vishala. Tadka Punjabi, Sankalp is also some famous food joints in Ahmedabad with impeccable cuisines. While you're here, you should undoubtedly visit Havmor ice cream parlours and get some of that action.
There is something known as Kathiyawadi Food which is an Ahmedabad speciality. In case you're in the mood for some adventure, this is an excellent way to go about your gastronomical journey. Visit Bardi at CG Road for the same. There are more options available at CG Road such as Choice Snacks, Mirch Masala, to name a few that you can check out.
How to reach Ahmedabad (Transportation)
By Air
Ahmedabad has impeccable flight connectivity as various domestic as well as international airlines have flights in and out of the city. The main airport is the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport located approximately 15 km from the city centre. The airport is looking at some significant expansion plans to bring in more space for international airlines. Some of the global flight connectivity from Ahmedabad is with cities such as Kuwait, London, Doha, Singapore and Muscat, to name a few. As for domestic destinations, the flight connectivity from Ahmedabad is brilliant as a majority of the domestic airlines have flights in the city. You can fly to a majority of the metropolitan cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Surat, Goa, Kolkata and more.
By Rail
The Ahmedabad Central Railway Station is also well-connected in terms of daily availability of transport. There are dedicated trains from Mumbai heading to Ahmedabad regularly with multiple connections to other major cities such as Rajkot, Pune , Delhi, Jaipur, Indore, Udaipur, Kolkata, Varanasi, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Chennai, etc. Other important junctions include the Sabarmati Junction and Maninagar Railway Station which connect to the central railway station.
By Road
Driving up to Ahmedabad is actually a fun ride as the roads are exciting and the highways are not risky. You can either book a bus ticket for yourself or rent a car or even drive yourself. People travelling from Maharashtra, Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh often opt for buses as the best option if railway tickets aren't confirmed. The buses are comfortable too as you have options such as semi seater and sleeper to choose from. You can easily reach Ahmedabad from any corner of the country.
About Jazeera Airways
Jazeera Airways KSC is a recognised Kuwaiti airline that has its head office situated on the grounds of Kuwait International Airport. The airline majorly operates scheduled flights that cater to cities in Europe and the Middle East. Kuwait International Airport in Al Farwaniyah Governorate, Kuwait, is the base for Jazeera Airways. With steady growth in its operations and passenger traffic, Jazeera Airways has managed to rise to the ranks of becoming the second-best national airline in Kuwait. As of 2009, Jazeera Airways has been recorded for being one of the largest operators from Kuwait International Airport which has handled about a quarter of aircraft movement and passenger traffic. Reports further state that Jazeera Airways had an overall of 1834 take-offs and landings in the year 2009, which brought about a growth in its aircraft movement by four per cent as the second-largest carrier. The Kuwait Directorate General issued the report for Civil Aviation.
The airline came into existence in 2004 and was founded by the Boodai Group. The Kuwait government allowed the establishment of a non-governmental airline firm to charter flights which brought an end to the 50-year-old dependency of Kuwait on its national flag carrier, Kuwait Airways. Jazeera Airways established Emiree Decree #89 was its first aircraft to function in the new liberalised aviation industry in Kuwait. The following years, Jazeera Airways cultivated a capital of KD 10 million (USD 35 million) by hosting an initial public offering in Kuwait. The same was oversubscribed about 12 times. Eventually, by 2007, the capital doubled to KD 20 million (USD 70 million) as a second offering was made to the existing group of shareholders.
By 2009, the airline announced a share distribution comprising 10 per cent as an increase in the capital which peaked to KD 22 million (USD 77 million) was witnessed. In terms of ownership, Boodai Group has the majority of stakes in Jazeera Airways with a whopping 26 per cent of shares. Boodai Group's two companies, Wings Finance and Boodai Projects, own nine per cent and seventeen percent of ownership, respectively. Meanwhile, a 6-7 percent of shares are owned by Jasem al-Mousa Trading. The company is basically owned by the former Minister of Public Works in the first established Kuwaiti government. A 17.5 per cent of shares in Jazeera Airways is also owned by two real estate companies in Kuwait while the rest of the shares is held publicly.
Flight operations for Jazeera Airways commenced in 2005 as it gathered a fleet comprising the new Airbus A320 aircraft. The airline catered to various destinations located in the Middle East. In 2009, the airline, which also had a hub for operations in Dubai, was asked by the United Arab Emirates to terminate the same. With a view to supporting their new low-cost airline, flydubai, the UAE authorities requested Jazeera Airways to terminate its ongoing operations from Dubai, Following this, the airline tweaked its operation model and concentrated much of its functions from Kuwait hub while scouting for a second hub around the Middle East. In 2010, a new model was proposed but proved to be unprofitable for Jazeera Airways as Kuwait City suffered from overcapacity. Eventually, the airline had to sacrifice much of its stations and parking and even cancel a lot of operations due to the same.
The airline did bring them back in the game a few years later. In 2018, Jazeera Airways managed to get its own dedicated terminal at the Kuwait International Airport. With this move, Jazeera Airways became the first private airline to receive its facility in the Middle East. The new terminal building features an extensive check-in hall catered to Jazeera Airways passengers. Along with this, there is a business class lounge, direct access to the boarding gates and a car park of 350 spaces that are connected by a sky bridge.
Fleet size of Jazeera Airways
Presently, Jazeera Airways has a fleet consisting of 13 aircraft which are all from the Airbus family. As of 2020, the airline has about nine Airbus A320-200s and four Airbus A320neo. Operations of the airline commenced with an Airbus aircraft. The fleet is majorly powered by CFM56-5B engines With respect to maintenance and repair of the aircraft, Jazeera Airways has tied up with Lufthansa Technik to take care of the fleet. All the seats in the aircraft of Jazeera Airways are leather and consist of 165 seats. The cabins are split into two cabins, the economy one as well as the business one called Jazeera and Jazeera Business. Jazeera Business comprises 12 extra seats in addition to the 147 economy seats on the aircraft. In 2007, the airline ordered for 30 Airbus A320s and made the announcement concerning the same at the Paris Air Show. They aimed at bringing the total count of their fleet with Airbus A320 to 35. However, due to the alternations in the operations following the termination of Dubai as a hub city for Jazeera Airways, five of the lessor Sahaab that they leased from Virgin Atlantic and SriLankan Airlines were returned. The following year, the airline also cancelled the orders for 25 A320s that the airline ordered in 2007. The airline did welcome the Airbus A320neo aircraft, first one from the Airbus family to operate from a Middle Eastern airline.
Baggage Allowance
Baggage allowance in Jazeera Airlines is quite impressive as they cater to a good amount for the economy and business class travellers. The airline allows a weight of up to 30 kg as free checked baggage for economy class. The same goes according to the standard rules set by international aviation laws. A single checked baggage piece cannot weigh beyond 32 kg. The passenger is allowed to carry a maximum of two bags in economy class. Dimensions of the baggage should not exceed a total of 158 cm for both the pieces of baggage. In case the weight does exceed the standards set, the airline does allow provisions to purchase more baggage at the airline's check-in counter. Business class passengers are allowed to carry approximately three baggage pieces in checked luggage. Once again, the dimension cannot exceed 158 cm for each of the baggage.
As for hand baggage, the standard protocol dictates that the passenger cannot carry weight exceeding 7 kg with them in the economy class cabin. Jazeera Airways allows only one baggage piece for economy class passengers to carry along with them on the aircraft. Meanwhile, the dimensions of the baggage cannot exceed 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. Declaration of the baggage must be made at the airport's check-in counter. Business class passengers are allowed to carry about three pieces of baggage as hand luggage with them, and the weight should not exceed 15 kg. The dimensions that the passenger's baggage should adhere to is the same as the economy class. Similarly, the airline expects the passenger to declare all the baggage at the check-in counter for security reasons.
In-flight services
Jazeera Airways' in-flight services have grown to meet global standards over time. As the airline only has Airbus in its fleet, the services are also quite fashionable and comfortable to cater to the needs of the passengers. This includes delicious in-flight meals, cosy seating, extra legroom and extremely friendly staff.
Popular routes and top cities for Jazeera Airways
Jazeera Airways is excellently connected to the domestic routes of the Middle East. It caters to a majority of Middle Eastern cities which include Amman, Doha, Medina, Riyadh, Beirut and Dubai, to name a few. With its base in Kuwait City, the airline has expanded to cater to several international routes as well, including the European continent and flights to India, Nepal, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Currently, some of the cities that Jazeera Airways caters to include Cairo, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Osh, Kathmandu, Lahore and Istanbul, to name a few.
In 2019, Jazeera Airlines launched its first flight service to London, bringing forth a new service between Kuwait and the United Kingdom in over 55 years. For the same, the airline has dedicated its newest A320neo aircraft. The dedicated terminal that Jazeera Airways operates from in Kuwait is recognised to have a slew of facilities and services. There are dedicated check-in counters in the hall reserved especially for passengers flying from the airline, facility of a business class lounge and several other such amenities.
Why travel by Jazeera Airways?
Jazeera Airways has grown to become one of the most sought-after airlines in terms of connectivity with several Middle Eastern cities. The airline boasts an excellent network of flights in its domestic routes and also has great international route connections with dedicated flights to Indian cities. The airline has also extended its in-flight services over the years. Growing with time, the airline now caters to online web check-ins, provides the passengers with flight status, enables booking of a Jazeera Airways flight and also offers flight schedules on its website and other travel portals.
About Ahmedabad Airport
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport serves as an international airport to the city of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar in the state of Gujarat. The airport is about 9 km to the north of central Ahmedabad. The airport has been named after the First Deputy Prime Minister of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It falls in the top ten list of busiest airports in India with respect to passenger traffic. In fact, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport stands at the seventh spot for being one of the busiest airports in India. According to reports received in 2018-19, the airport recorded a whopping passenger capacity of 11.17 million in a year. Ahmedabad Airport also serves as the focus city for GoAir airline.
The airport was originally set up in 1937 for domestic operations. However, the airport eventually received its international operations stature in 1991. In 2000, Ahmedabad Airport was added in the category of international airports in India. In the same decade, works to create a new terminal also commenced. In 2010, the airport's new terminal 2 came into existence, and it was inaugurated to handle international passengers.
Further, a towering 18 foot-tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was also erected at the airport. The airport has been recognised internationally for its world-class facilities and modern amenities. In fact, it also received an award in 2017 for being the 'Most Improved Airport' in Asia-Pacific, by the Airports Council International.
About Ahmedabad Airport terminals
Terminal 1 - Terminal 1 caters to domestic operations and comprises of two floors. The design and layout of the terminal are exquisite and is capable of handling 1400 passengers during peak hours. The terminal has also reserved spaces for parking cars which can accommodate 250 at one go. It comes with various facilities, including WiFi services and several food establishments. There are about 32 check-in counters as the terminal is sprawled over 480,000 square feet. Just recently in 2018, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport opened a new Plaza Premium lounge in the domestic terminal 1. The lounge is located right next to Gate 4 on the first floor of the terminal building. The lounge has world-class facilities and caters to Priority Pass. You can also use other select bank cards to get access to the lounge. Business-class passengers depending on the airlines that they fly from will also get access to the lounge.
Terminal 2 - Terminal 2, also known as T2, was inaugurated in 2010 and commenced operations the same year. Thanks to the exquisite Steel Structure built by the management, the terminal won accolades for the same at the 2009 edition of National Structural Steel Design and Construction Awards. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport's Terminal 2 accommodates four aerobridges with 32 check-in counters. The terminal's floor area sprawls across 41,000 square meters approximately.
With this, the terminal has the potential to accommodate over 1,600 passengers at all times. Similar to the terminal 1 lounge, terminal 2 also has a new Plaza Premium, which was opened in 2018. The new lounge at the terminal has been reserved for business class and first-class passengers. In fact, passengers who have special Priority Pass and other bank card are also given access to the terminal 2's lounge. Along with great facilities, the terminal also accommodates a 51,975 square metre long apron that enables parking bays for nine A-321 and four ATR-72 types of aircraft.
Terminal 3 - Terminal 3 is located next to terminal 1 and is used for domestic flight activities. The terminal is yet to start functioning, but as of 2019, the airport has managed to lay the foundation. Construction work has already commenced for the new terminal. The terminal building is set to accommodate a parking facility of 200 cars and will predominantly be used for Hajj season.
Terminal 4 - Terminal 4 is reserved for cargo activities. The airport has the capacity to accommodate about 51,637 tonnes of cargo, this includes gold and silver. Sixty per cent of the cargo is derived from various domestic sources. Presently, cargo airlines such as Blue Dart Aviation, Emirates SkyCargo, Ethiopian Airlines Cargo and Qatar Airways Cargo operate from Terminal 4 of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
About Airport Authority
Airports Authority of India is the owner and played as the operator of the Ahmedabad Airport. However, in 2015, they announced to privatise the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Until 2015, much of the airport's management and operations were handled by the Airports Authority of India. Following a bid to transfer the ownership or rather operations of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Adani Group has become the management now. Plans of expansion and upgradation under the operations of Adani Group have not been revealed yet.
Facilities at the Ahmedabad Airport
Lounge – The international and domestic terminals of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have dedicated lounge services. Called the Plaza premium lounge, the two lounges have great hospitality and comfortable facilities.
Medical services – With a view to handle medical emergency cases, the airport has installed medical services and first aid rooms too. These are present in the domestic as well as international terminals.
WiFi – The airport offers free WiFi facilities for passengers. One can avail the free internet services without having to pay an extra tariff of any sort. Also, the internet connection is strong and can be utilised from various spots in the airport premise.
Currency exchange - Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is an international airport and hence has a foreign exchange counter available in the terminal. You can get your currencies exchanged for a decent rate and also get money transfers done.
Child care rooms – There are provisions for parents travelling with kids to relax at the child care room. These rooms have been installed specifically to help parents calm their kids and to cater to their needs. The rooms are private in nature and have facilities such as changing tables, comfortable chairs and more. They also have baby products such as powders and diapers, in case the parent runs out of these essentials.
Spa – Ever since the airport has undergone upgradation, they have installed some interesting new features. One of them is a spa service. You can avail the spa services at the airport's terminals and relax ahead of the flight. They are mostly present in the international terminal.
Restaurants – There are dedicated food courts available at both the terminals of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. You can find famous restaurants and food joints from around the world at the airport. Famous establishments such as McDonald's, Subway, KFC, to name a few, are also part of the airport terminals. Affordable food joints and beverage points are present at the airport as well. You can pick from the most upscale establishments to the cheap and affordable ones at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
ATMs – The airport facilitates various ATM kiosks of local banks at selected spots in the international and domestic terminals.
Top airlines flying from Ahmedabad Airport
As one of the most important airports in India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport accommodates several domestic and international airlines. The domestic airlines that operate from Ahmedabad Airport include Air India, AirAsia India, Air Deccan, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Star Air, TruJet and Vistara. These airlines connect to major cities such as Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Varanasi, Pune, Nagpur, Visakhapatnam, Patna, Kozhikode, Kochi, Bagdogra, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Indore and Dehradun, to name a few. Meanwhile, the international airlines that operate from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport are Air Arabia, AirAsia X, Druk Air, Emirates, flydubai, Iraqi Airways, Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai AirAsia and Thai Smile. These airlines connect to international destinations such as Sharjah, Kuala Lumpur, Paro, London, Baghdad, Kuwait, Doha Singapore, Jeddah, Dubai, Bangkok and Abu Dhabi, to name a few.
How to reach Ahmedabad Airport
By Bus
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is approximately 8n km away from the bus stand. From the bus stand, you can easily find taxis and private buses that will directly reach you to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. There are several prepaid taxi booths also available near the bus stand for you to reach Ahmedabad Airport. Reaching Ahmedabad Airport from the bus stand is quite convenient and comfortable. You can also find transportation facilities on Ola and Uber to reach Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. It would take approximately 20 minutes to reach Ahmedabad Airport. However, depending on the city traffic, the duration can vary.
By Rail
The railway station is also located about 8 km from the airport. If you have a flight to catch from Ahmedabad Airport and if you are travelling to Ahmedabad from other parts of Gujarat, it would be a comfortable journey. You can get various taxi cabs and other such vehicle services at the railway station to reach Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Private cabs are available at the station and would take you around 20 to 25 minutes to reach Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
