In the question hour of the Lok Sabha session held on August 5, Solanki sought resumption of direct Ahmedabad-London flight that has been stalled, making it difficult for Gujaratis to travel as they have to change flights either in Delhi or Mumbai. The stoppage causes inconvenience to passengers as they have to struggle for their luggage's safety, which most of the time reaches them only after 2-3 days.
He said the international terminal at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport in Ahmedabad only operates in the night and not a single flight takes off during the day time. Flights to different parts of the world are scheduled to take off after 6 pm until early morning, which is why, the number of direct flights should be increased from the city airport. And if the London-Ahmedabad flight is resumed again, Gujarati passengers would easily travel to London or the US or different countries in Europe.
The working of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha was suspended following agitation by the Opposition parties. However, when the House met on August 3, Solanki found the opportunity to raise his appeal for a direct London-Ahmedabad flight and the opening of the International terminal during the day.
Co-ordinator of a committee formed for the purpose, Solanki along with journalist Bhupat Parekh elaborated on the troubles faced by people coming in from London. He said he recently had a detailed talk over the subject with London's Gujarat Samachar editor C B Patel, which is when he perceived the kind of inconvenience travellers face. Bhupat Parekh told them a committee was made in 2014, for the recommencement of the direct flight. He said the committee had issued written notices and met people like BJP member Mansukhbhai Mandviya. They even met minister of civil aviation, Dr Ashok Gajapathi Raju, when he came down to Ahmedabad. The minister then said that the flight was not being resumed for lack of passengers. Talking on the issue of 'traffic', Solanki said he had told the minister that as many people as it would take for a direct flight would be there if a direct flight is resumed as there is surge in the number of people travelling. Solanki clearly told the minister that the argument of not having enough traffic did not hold any weight.
Explaining in detail, Solanki and Bhupatbhai said the Ahmedabad international airport was inaugurated in July 2006, during the UPA rule, by then aviation minister Praful Patel. The function was attended by then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, who, along with other ministers of the state, sought the resumption of the direct Ahmedabad-London flight. After Modi appealed to then Union Minister of State Dinsha Patel, MP Hiren Pathak, and others, it was promised that such a flight would be arranged by winter. However, the government has failed to honour its promise.
Parekh said that state civil aviation minister Saurabh Patel and other ministers of Gujarat also sent written applications to the Union Civil Aviation Minister. They also said even chief minister Anandiben Patel has sent a written plea to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, there is no official statement from the CM's office saying she has communicated with the Prime Minister regarding the resumption of a direct flight.
