The Union Civil Aviation Ministry has reportedly agreed to explore the feasibility of establishing seven new airports in the state, following a recommendation from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The Centre expressed its willingness to undertake the study after the chief minister offered to allocate land for the proposed airports.
The chief minister is said to have proposed new airports in Kuppam, his hometown, as well as Dagadarthi in Nellore and Nagarjuna Sagar in Palnadu district. It was noted that the Centre has decided to include Srikakulam, the hometown of Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, in the feasibility study. It is of particular interest that the forthcoming Bhogapuram International Airport in Vizianagaram district is located near Srikakulam.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu reportedly stated that four locations?Srikakulam, Kuppam, Dagadarthi, and Nagarjuna Sagar?had been identified for the feasibility study and that work on the new airports would commence promptly once the report is received. The minister also indicated that the viability of airports in Ongole, Tadepalligudem, and the Tuni-Annavaram area would be assessed in a second phase. Additionally, the chief minister had requested an exploration into converting the private airport at Puttaparthi for public use.
It was highlighted that with seven airports currently operational in Andhra Pradesh, the addition of these proposed airports would increase the total to 14. The minister also announced plans to enhance flight connectivity from Vijayawada to Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, and Visakhapatnam, setting a target to finalize Bhogapuram Airport by 2026 and complete various runway and airport expansions by late 2025.
Furthermore, the minister disclosed that the Centre would soon introduce a policy on seaplanes, suggesting that Andhra Pradesh could benefit from this policy to attract more tourists.
