Vijayawada airport goes international after Centre’s nod

VIJAYAWADA: In a good news for the city’s flyers, Union home ministry has issued an immigration notification for

Vijayawada

airport, which paves way for the operation of international flights. At present, flyers from the city have to travel to Hyderabad or Chennai to catch an international flight.

A high-level team from the ministry of home affairs’ (MHA) immigration department, led by director level officer Praveen Bora Singh, visited the international terminal at Vijayawada airport recently. The team conducted an on-site inspection of the facilities. It submitted a detailed report to the MHA, after which the immigration notification was issued.

Airports Authority of India

(AAI) had converted the old terminal building at the airport into a swanky international terminal.

Some 10 immigration counters, five each for arrival and departure, are ready. State special police force has geared up to provide security.

Customs and immigration staff, drawn from the police department, are waiting to join the new facility. At present, the airport has a domestic terminal and there are around 31 flight movements daily. Flights are being operated to destinations such as Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Tirupati and Vizag.

Silk

Air and Emirates are keen to start flights to

Singapore

and Dubai from Vijayawada. Vijayawada airport director, GMS Rao told TOI, “From our side, all the required infrastructure and facilities needed for an international terminal are ready.”