The new Vijayawada airport terminal is likely to be ready by October, says an official

Vijayawada Airport Director M. Lakshmi Kantha Reddy was addressing the media in Vijayawada on Friday. | Photo credit: KVS Giri

The new terminal of the Vijayawada International Airport at Gannavaram is expected to be ready by October and inaugurated within days of its completion, Airport Director M. Lakshmi Kantha Reddy said on Friday.

Speaking at an interactive meeting organized by AP Chambers at its Vijayawada office, Mr Reddy said the Airports Authority of India (AAI) awarded the project contract to a new contractor in June and the new terminal will include multi-level traffic, six aerobridges, escalators, state-of-the-art technology and upgraded passenger amenities. “It will also have provisions for future expansion,” he said.

Mr. Reddy said the Vijayawada airport currently handles 22 flights and around 2,000 passengers per day, with a parking capacity of 26 aircraft. The airport is connected to several major domestic destinations and has international connections to Singapore and Sharjah three times a week.

He said that Fly91 is ready to introduce morning flights between Vijayawada and Tirupati which would benefit the devout travelers to the temple town.

Hub-and-spoke model

On international connectivity, Mr Reddy said direct flights to Dubai would be particularly beneficial for passengers traveling further to Europe and America. Once the new terminal is operational, a hub-and-spoke model could also be introduced, he said.

Under the proposed model, international passengers would be able to complete security and baggage check-in procedures at the Vijayawada airport itself, making further international travel more convenient, he said.

Regarding cargo infrastructure, he said the long-term plan is to set up an exclusive integrated cargo terminal at the airport. Until a dedicated facility is built, the existing terminal could be converted for cargo operations, he added.

AP Chambers President Potluri Bhaskara Rao said the chamber had been working on the development of Vijayawada airport for several years, considering infrastructure development as an integral part of industrial growth. The chamber also regularly submits proposals to improve airport facilities and connectivity, he said.

Mr. Bhaskar Rao said that there is a strong demand among passengers for direct connectivity from Vijayawada to Dubai as well as connectivity between major international destinations and also called for convenient timing of flights between Vijayawada and other cities in Andhra Pradesh.

He further suggested setting up a dedicated cold storage facility at the airport to facilitate the transportation of perishable products. The Airport Director acknowledged the role AP Chambers has played in the development of Vijayawada Airport over the years.

The meeting was attended by AP Chambers Executive Vice President B. Raja Sekhar, General Secretary Subbarao Ravuri and members representing various sectors.

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Published – 04 Sep 2026 22:26 IST