Vijayawada Airport
{{short description|International Airport in Vijayawada, India}}
{{pp-move}}
{{Use Indian English||date=December 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Vijayawada Airport
| image = Vijayawada Airport 2 (November 2018).jpg
| image-width = 250px
| caption =
| IATA = VGA
| coordinates = {{coord|16|31|44|N|80|47|45|E|display=inline,title}}
| ICAO = VOBZ
| pushpin_map = India Andhra Pradesh#India
| pushpin_label = VGA
| type = Public
| owner = Airports Authority of India
| operator = Airports Authority of India
| city-served = Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh Capital Region
| location = Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India
| elevation-f = 82
| elevation-m = 25
| website = [https://www.aai.aero/en/airports/vijayawada Vijayawada Airport]
| metric-elev =
| metric-rwy =
| r1-number = 08/26
| r1-length-f = 11000
| r1-length-m = 3360
| r1-surface = Asphalt
| stat-year = April 2023 - March 2024
| stat1-header = Passengers
| stat1-data = 1,062,506 ({{increase}} 9.9%)
| stat2-header = Aircraft movements
| stat2-data = 15,214 ({{increase}} 4.3%)
| stat3-header = Cargo tonnage
| stat3-data = 810 ({{decrease}} 36.5%)
| footnotes = Source: AAI{{cite web|title=Annexure III – Passenger Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k24Annex3.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=21 April 2024}}{{cite web|title=Annexure II – Aircraft Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k24Annex2.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=21 April 2024}}{{cite web|title=Annexure IV – Freight Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/Mar2k24Annex4.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=21 April 2024}}
| hub =
| timezone =
}}
File:Vijayawada Airport 7 (November 2018).jpg
Vijayawada Airport {{Airport codes|VGA|VOBZ}}, officially known as Vijayawada International Airport, is an international airport serving Vijayawada. The airport is located at Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India.{{cite news |date=29 July 2020 |title=Vijayawada airport flies high |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/vijayawada-airport-flies-high/article32225319.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017215017/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/vijayawada-airport-flies-high/article32225319.ece |archive-date=17 October 2020 |access-date=14 October 2020 |work=The Hindu |quote="We are ensuring smooth operations though we have only one team each for customs, immigration, medical and airport staff."}}{{cite news |last1=Sarma |first1=Ch. R. S. |date=12 January 2017 |title=Gannavaram airport named after Amaravati |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/gannavaram-airport-named-after-amaravati/article9475939.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405174832/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/gannavaram-airport-named-after-amaravati/article9475939.ece |archive-date=5 April 2021 |access-date=15 January 2017 |work=The Hindu Business Line}}{{cite news |title=PM to inaugurate new terminal building at Vijayawada airport on January 12 |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2016/dec/08/pm-to-inaugurate-new-terminal-building-at-vijayawada-airport-on-january-12-1547042.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116172510/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2016/dec/08/pm-to-inaugurate-new-terminal-building-at-vijayawada-airport-on-january-12-1547042.html |archive-date=16 January 2017 |access-date=15 January 2017 |work=The New Indian Express}}{{cite web |date=4 December 2020 |title=List of Airports |url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/basic_page_files/list%20of%20airport%20bilingual.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212185132/https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/basic_page_files/list%20of%20airport%20bilingual.pdf |archive-date=12 February 2021 |access-date=4 December 2020 |website=Airports Authority of India}}{{Cite news |last=Dangwal |first=Sandhya |date=4 May 2017 |title=Vijayawada Airport upgraded as international airport; to improve connectivity, cargo movement |url=http://www.india.com/business/vijayawada-airport-upgraded-as-international-airport-to-improve-connectivity-cargo-movement-2096395/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221041939/https://www.india.com/business/vijayawada-airport-upgraded-as-international-airport-to-improve-connectivity-cargo-movement-2096395/ |archive-date=21 December 2018 |access-date=9 May 2017 |work=India.com |language=en}}
History
The airfield located at Gannavaram served as an army base during the World War II, after which it was converted into a civilian airport. Air Deccan introduced a daily service between Hyderabad and Vijayawada in September 2003.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/23/stories/2005112320860100.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140918073541/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/23/stories/2005112320860100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 September 2014|title=One more flight for Vijayawada|newspaper=The Hindu|date=23 November 2005|access-date=18 September 2014}} Until 2011, the airport had only four flights a day operated by Kingfisher Airlines.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Another-pvt-airliner-to-operate-from-Gannavaram/articleshow/7696545.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126082003/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-14/india/28688081_1_jet-airways-flight-flight-operators-gannavaram|url-status=live|archive-date=26 January 2013|newspaper=The Times of India|title=Another pvt airliner to operate from Gannavaram|access-date=14 March 2011}} In 2011, flag carrier Air India and private airlines Spicejet and Jet Airways introduced direct flights to the airport, but the latter terminated its service. Air Costa, a regional airline started operations in October 2013, with Vijayawada as its operational hub, which later suspended services.
To cater to the increasing passenger traffic, the foundation stone for a new interim terminal building was laid in October 2015.{{cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/49456017.cms |title=Foundation stone of Vijayawada airport's new terminal laid |newspaper=The Economic Times |agency=PTI |date=19 October 2015 |access-date=12 January 2017 |archive-date=13 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813212130/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/49456017.cms |url-status=live}} The terminal, designed to handle two million passengers per annum was opened on 12 January 2017. It was expected to be sufficient for passenger needs for the next four-five years until a larger integrated terminal was built.{{cite news |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/120117/naidu-opens-new-transit-terminal-at-vijayawada-airport.html |title=Naidu opens new transit terminal at Vijayawada airport |newspaper=Deccan Chronicle |date=12 January 2017 |access-date=5 October 2019 |archive-date=5 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005181559/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/120117/naidu-opens-new-transit-terminal-at-vijayawada-airport.html |url-status=live }} After domestic operations were shifted to the interim terminal, the old airport terminal building was closed and was prepared to handle international services. The terminal was equipped with a customs and immigration section and additional facilities and security arrangements.{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/old-airport-terminal-readying-for-international-operations/article19137391.ece |title=Old airport terminal readying for international operations |newspaper=The Hindu |date=24 June 2017 |access-date=5 October 2019 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112023152/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/old-airport-terminal-readying-for-international-operations/article19137391.ece |url-status=live }}
The Central Government granted international status to the airport on 3 May 2017.{{cite news |url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=161495 |title=Cabinet approves Vijayawada Airport as International Airport |newspaper=Press Information Bureau |date=3 May 2017 |access-date=5 October 2019 |archive-date=5 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005181618/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx%3Frelid%3D161495 |url-status=live }} However, it was only after the state government offered viability gap funding (VGF) to airlines for operating international flights, that private operator IndiGo bid for the contract to operate two flights a week to Singapore.{{cite news |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijayawada-airport-gets-international-status-first-flight-takes-singapore-92774 |title=Vijayawada airport gets international status, first flight takes off to Singapore |newspaper=The News Minute |date=5 December 2019 |access-date=5 October 2019 |archive-date=2 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402152545/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijayawada-airport-gets-international-status-first-flight-takes-singapore-92774 |url-status=live }}
On 4 December 2018, Indigo flight 6E 33 departed for Singapore Changi Airport,{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/andhra-pradesh-news/with-first-flight-to-singapore-vijayawada-enters-global-aviation-map-1957836|title=With First Flight To Singapore, Vijayawada Enters Global Aviation Map|website=NDTV.com|access-date=12 December 2018|archive-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215173128/https://www.ndtv.com/andhra-pradesh-news/with-first-flight-to-singapore-vijayawada-enters-global-aviation-map-1957836|url-status=live}} marking the inaugural international flight for Vijayawada and getting an international footprint for Vijayawada.{{cite news |title=Vijayawada to Singapore IndiGo flights from Dec 4 |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/vijayawada-to-singapore-indigo-flights-from-dec-4/article25312950.ece |access-date=24 October 2018 |work=@businessline |language=en |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185321/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/vijayawada-to-singapore-indigo-flights-from-dec-4/article25312950.ece |url-status=live }} The flight was terminated in July 2019 after the six-month VGF agreement lapsed and the state government refused to extend the agreement.{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/vijayawada-singapore-direct-flight-service-dropped/article28255086.ece |title=Vijayawada-Singapore directflight service dropped |newspaper=The Hindu |date=2 July 2019 |access-date=5 October 2019 |archive-date=7 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107233318/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/vijayawada-singapore-direct-flight-service-dropped/article28255086.ece |url-status=live }}
Expansion
A brand new integrated terminal building is under construction ever since its foundation stone was laid by the then Minister of Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu and Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu on 4 December 2018. The 35,000m² (376,700 ft²) steel and glass structure is being developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at an estimated cost of ₹ 611 crores (US$86 million). The new terminal is being designed for peak daily handling of 1,200 (600 domestic and 400 international) passengers, with 24 check-in counters, five conveyor belts, 14 immigration counters, three customs counters, and eight gates and six aerobridges, which can accommodate large widebody aircraft, such as the Boeing 777 and Boeing 747. The new terminal's parking facilities will accommodate an additional 1,250 automobiles.{{Cite news |last=Murthy |first=Sistla Dakshina |date=17 May 2022 |title=New terminal works at VJA airport at brisk pace, inauguration by year-end |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/vijayawada/2022/May/17/new-terminal-works-at-vja-airport-at-brisk-pace-inauguration-by-year-end-2454067.html |access-date=8 July 2022 |work=The New Indian Express}}{{cite news |date=5 December 2018 |title=Vijayawada AirPort to get integrated terminal building |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/vijayawada-airport-to-get-modern-facilities-integrated-terminal-building-118120500124_1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184214/https://wap.business-standard.com/article-amp/current-affairs/vijayawada-airport-to-get-modern-facilities-integrated-terminal-building-118120500124_1.html |archive-date=9 July 2021 |access-date=24 May 2020 |work=Business Standard India |agency=ANI}}
As of July 2024, 48.5% work on the new terminal has been completed and it is expected to be completed by June 2025.{{cite news |date=26 July 2024 |title=Vijayawada airport likely to get new terminal building by June 2025, says Civil Aviation Minister |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/airlines-aviation-vijayawada-airport-likely-to-get-new-terminal-building-by-june-2025-says-civil-aviation-minister-3565728/ |access-date=28 July 2024 |work=Financial Express}}{{Cite news |date=2024-07-26 |title=Minister: Vij int’l terminal will be ready by June 2025 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/vijayawada-airport-international-terminal-completion-by-june-2025/articleshow/112027472.cms |access-date=2024-08-25 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}
Facilities
= Structure =
The airport is spread over 1265 acres. Initially, it was spread over 567, and later 698 acres were pooled from adjoining villages.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}} It has 24 parking bays for A320, B737, ATR-72, and Bombardier Q400.{{cite news|title=Vijayawada airport now has 16 Parking Bays|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/gannavaram-airport-to-have-16-parking-bays/article8387973.ece|access-date=23 March 2020|work=The Hindu|date=23 March 2016|archive-date=23 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323150602/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/gannavaram-airport-to-have-16-parking-bays/article8387973.ece/amp/|url-status=live}}
= Runways =
The airport has one runway:
- Runway 08/26: {{convert|3360|x|45|m}}, ILS CAT-1 equipped
= Terminal =
The interim terminal spreads over 12,999 square metres and includes a check-in area, arrival hall, meet and greet service staircase, aviation lounge, and baggage pick up area. The lounge is spread over 3,613 square metres. The terminal can handle up to 500 passengers at a time and has 18 check-in counters ,2 conveyor belts, 6 gates .{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/New-airport-terminal-to-be-opened-on-Jan.-12/article16979742.ece|title=New airport terminal to be opened on Jan 12|newspaper=The Hindu|date=12 January 2017|access-date=12 January 2017|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920060135/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/New-airport-terminal-to-be-opened-on-Jan.-12/article16979742.ece|url-status=live}}
File:Check-In Area.jpg|Check-In area at the interim terminal
File:Domestic Departures - 1.jpg|Domestic Departure Hall
File:Domestic Departures - 2.jpg|Boarding Gates, Domestic Departure Hall
File:VGA Deaprtures.jpg|Interiors at Vijayawada Airport in 2020
Transport
Vijayawada Airport is located on National Highway 16 which connects Chennai to Kolkata. APSRTC runs AIRPORT Liner City Bus from PNBS, and the airport cab services, Ola Cabs, Uber, and Rapido services are available to explore the city and as well as to reach Vijayawada Junction, Pandit Nehru Bus Station, and all major parts of the city and the state.
Airlines and destinations
Statistics
{{Airport-Statistics|iata=VGA}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Annual domestic passenger traffic and aircraft movements at Vijayawada Airport ! rowspan="2" |Year ! colspan="2" |Domestic passenger traffic ! colspan="2" |Domestic aircraft movements |
| Passengers
! Percent ! Aircraft ! Percent |
|---|
| 2024–25
| | | | |
| 2023–24
|{{change|929,765|1,025,734|dec=1|disp=out}} |{{change|14,300|14,934|dec=1|disp=out}} |
| 2022–23
|{{change|579,111|929,765|dec=1|disp=out}} |{{change|8,833|14,300|dec=1|disp=out}} |
| 2021–22
|{{change|434,737|579,111|dec=1|disp=out}} |{{change|6,863|8,833|dec=1|disp=out}} |
| 2020–21
| {{change|1,125,551|434,737|dec=1|disp=out}} | {{change|15,190|6,863|dec=1|disp=out}} |
| 2019–20
| {{change|1,178,559|1,125,551|dec=1|disp=out}} | {{change|18,957|15,190|dec=1|disp=out}} |
| 2018–19
|{{change|746392|1,178,559|dec=1|disp=out}} |{{change|11,999|18,957|dec=1|disp=out}} |
| 2017–18
|{{change|622354|746392|dec=1|disp=out}} |{{change|10333|11998|dec=1|disp=out}} |
| 2016–17
|{{change|398643|622354|dec=1|disp=out}} |{{change|6676|10333|dec=1|disp=out}} |
| 2015–16
|{{change|231931|398643|dec=1|disp=out}} |{{change|4639|6676|dec=1|disp=out}} |
| 2014–15
|NA |NA |
Accidents and incidents
- On 28 August 1980, Vickers Viscount VT-DJC of Huns Air was damaged beyond economic repair when the nosewheel collapsed after the aircraft bounced three times on landing.{{cite web|url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19800828-0|title=Accident description|publisher=Aviation Safety Network|access-date=8 October 2009|archive-date=25 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025121536/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19800828-0|url-status=live}}
- On 20 February 2021, an Air India Express aircraft was involved in ground incident, the aircraft wing impacted a floodlight pole while taxiing. No injuries were reported.{{cite web |url=https://airwaysmag.com/airlines/ix-plane-hits-pole-vga/ |title=Air India Express Plane Hits Lighting Pole Landing at VGA | Airways Magazine |publisher=Airwaysmag.com |date=22 February 2021 |accessdate=25 December 2021 |archive-date=12 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512230544/https://airwaysmag.com/airlines/ix-plane-hits-pole-vga/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url= https://indianexpress.com/article/india/air-india-express-flight-hits-electric-pole-on-landing-at-vijayawada-airport-all-passengers-safe/ |title= Air India Express flight hits electric pole on landing at Vijayawada airport; all passengers safe|date=20 February 2021 |accessdate=18 April 2023 }}
See also
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://www.aai.aero/en/airports/vijayawada Vijayawada Airport] at Airports Authority of India website
{{Portalbar|India|Aviation}}
{{Airports in India}}
Category:Airports in Andhra Pradesh
Category:Transport in Vijayawada
Category:Buildings and structures in Vijayawada
Category:Airports established in the 1940s
Category:1940s establishments in India