Sixth airport in Andhra inaugurated, flights to Bangalore, Vizag, Chennai to commence soon

Mar 25,2021

New Delhi: Civil aviation minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, on Thursday inaugurated the sixth airport of Andhra Pradesh. The Kurnool airport in Orvakal was inaugurated virtually. Flight operations will commence on 28 March under the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN), Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a statement.

"Direct flight operations to Bangalore, Vishakhapatnam and Chennai will bring the region closer to the major hubs in the South India. These routes were approved by the MoCA under the UDAN 4 bid process last year," it said. The government of India and the government of Andhra Pradesh will share the Viability Gap Finance (VGF) towards operations on an 80:20 basis, the statement read.

"PM @narendramodi Ji’s vision ‘Hawai Chappal se Hawai Jahaaz Tak’ continues to be implemented across the country. Delighted to virtually join CM Andhra Pradesh Sh @Ysjagan Garu, ministers & MPs at the inauguration of Kurnool airport today," tweeted Hardeep Sigh Puri.

"It is the 6th operational airport in the state & 57th airport under the UDAN scheme in India. We have earmarked Rs 1100 crore for aviation & airport infrastructure at Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Kadapa & Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh," said Puri.

Andhra Pradesh now has 6 airports, in Kadapa, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Rajahmundry and Vijayawada and the sixth airport in Kurnool. Kurnool is the judicial capital of Andhra Pradesh and a historical hub of the country.

The flight operations at Kurnool airport will commence on 28th March 2021 under the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN). Direct flight operations to Bangalore, Vishakhapatnam and Chennai will bring the region closer to the major hubs in South India. These routes were approved by the MoCA under the UDAN 4 bid process last year.

The Government of India and the Government of Andhra Pradesh will jointly share the VGF towards the operations on an 80:20 basis. Till date, 56 unserved and underserved airports (including 5 heliports+ 2 water aerodrome) with 325 routes have been operationalised under UDAN across the length and breadth of India.

Kurnool is the judicial capital of Andhra Pradesh and a historical hub of the country. The place is famous for its mighty caves and temples. The city of Kurnool lies on the banks of the Tungabhadra River and, Nallamalas mountain hill range runs parallel. Moreover, Famous tourist spots include Nallamala Forest, Ahobilam, Belum Caves, Mahanandi, Mantralayam, Orvakal, Sangameshwaram, Kethavaram and Kalva Bugga. This air connectivity will fulfill the aspirations of the people of Kurnool and provide impetus to the local economy and tourism.

Famous tourist spots like Nallamala Forest, Ahobilam, Belum Caves, Mahanandi, Mantralayam, Orvakal, Sangameshwaram, Kethavaram and Kalva Buggam, are in Kurnool. "This air connectivity will fulfill the aspirations of the people of Kurnool and provide impetus to the local economy and tourism," the ministry said.