Intl flight from Vizag likely from Jan 15

Visakhapatnam airport is likely to get its first international flight from January 15. After expanding the existing airport, the Airports Authority of India has created all facilities like customs and immigration to handle international passengers.

Air passengers of this region currently depend on other airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad for international services, said Varada Reddy, president of Air Travelers Association of India.

Initially, Air India would operate its international flight from Vizag to Dubai via Hyderabad from January 15. During the last calendar year, 750,000 passengers used Vizag airport, of which about 30 per cent were international passengers. This year the number is set to touch over 900,000, KS Rao, director, Vizag airport, told Business Standard. At present, 38 domestic flight services operate from the airport daily.

 

In view of the increase in air passengers from here, the government has sanctioned another aerobridge, which will cost the airport Rs 3-4 crore, Rao said.

The airport now has two aerobridges with provision for four aerobridges. The civil aviation ministry has given in-principal approval to start the second international flight service from Vizag to Singapore via Madurai from March 2012, Reddy said.

International airlines like Silk Airways and Air Arabia have evinced interest in starting flights from Vizag.