An airport which was not even known to the world, is now handling over five times the traffic it usually does since February 26.

Now, the Jamnagar Airport's next challenge will be on March 4 and 5 when most of the guests attending the pre-wedding bash of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant depart.

The domestic airport, which also services a Air Force Station, has been specially permitted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to handle international flights from February 26 to March 6.

Among the celebrities, one of the firsts to take a return flight from the airport was pop star Rihanna, who left early Saturday.

The three-day festivities to celebrate the upcoming wedding of Reliance Industries Limited Chairman Mukesh Ambani's younger son Anant with Encore Healthcare CEO Viren Merchant's daughter Radhika will conclude on Sunday. From the celebrities on the guest list, over 50 were flying in from abroad.

Speaking to The Indian Express on Saturday, Jamnagar Airport Director Dhananjay Kumar said: 'We have operated 40 international flights between February 26 and March 1, after permission for CIQ (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine) was received on February 25, based on a request sent by Reliance Industries, to facilitate international movement.'

'These flights - 20 arrivals and 20 departures - also include cargo flights. The international flights have mostly arrived from the United States, United Kingdom, Paris, Milan, Middle East and Bhutan… Usually, we handle six flights, three arrivals and three departures, per day,' he added.

Singh further said that the major challenge faced by the airport was during the arrival and departure of singer Rihanna. While Rihanna arrived in an Airbus, her staff and luggage arrived on a Boeing 767. 'The challenge has been to accommodate all the incoming flights… Rihanna's flight was specifically challenging, as the flights had to be brought close to the terminal,' he added.

Maintaining that disembarking passengers and ground handling has been a challenge.

The Jamnagar district police, meanwhile, has deployed additional security to ensure law and order across Jamnagar during the VVIP movement. Police personnel from other districts have also been deployed, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad is inspecting the airport thrice every day.