Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has emphasised the need to establish an aviation university and a training centre in Andhra Pradesh, along with the development of seven new airports in addition to the seven already operational.

With an eye on future demand for private flight parking, Naidu instructed officials to plan the construction of these airports with all considerations in mind.

In a review meeting held at his Undavalli residence, Naidu, along with Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu, discussed the expansion of existing airports and the construction of new ones.

Naidu concentrated on the construction of Bhogapuram’s international airport. The Airports Authority of India is responsible for managing Gannavaram, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, and Kadapa airports, while the state government maintains Kurnool airport. Puttaparthi, however, operates solely as a private airstrip.

The government has taken steps to develop seven more airports to meet the growing demands. Airports will be built in Kuppam, Dagadarthi, Srikakulam, Tadepalligudem, Nagarjuna Sagar, Tuni-Annavaram, and Ongole. A feasibility report for Kuppam airport has already been prepared, with construction set to proceed in two phases. Phase one covers 683 acres, and phase two covers 567 acres, combining to total 1,250 acres.

Officials noted that the proximity of the proposed Kuppam airport to the Indian Air Force, HAL, and Bengaluru International Airports requires careful consideration of airspace usage and the No Objection Certificates from the relevant organisations.

The feasibility survey for the Srikakulam airport has been completed, with plans for its construction in two phases across 1,383 acres. Land acquisition is already underway. For Dagadarthi airport, 635 acres of land were acquired during the previous TDP regime, but an additional 745 acres is required, and the necessary permissions have been granted.

Naidu also suggested evaluating the possibility of constructing an airstrip at Sri City SEZ and mentioned that the feasibility report for Ongole airport is pending. Similarly, the plan for a proposed airport in Palnadu district near Nagarjuna Sagar requires the acquisition of 1,670 acres, of which 500 acres still need clearance for forest land.