VIJAYAWADA: Amid talks of bettering flight connectivity at Gannavaram airport, a team from Singapore-based Silk Air arrived at the city and studied its business scale and viabilities on Sunday. Previously, Air India had announced the launch of direct flight services to Dubai and Sharjah from Vijayawada. On their visit, the Silk Air team examined parking bays, runways, terminals, immigration and customs sections of the airport. Also, they discussed viabilities and business options with the airport director, G Madhusudan Rao. If satisfied, the airways is expected to begin its flight services to Singapore and Malaysia.
The next 45 days are going to be very happening for the Vijayawada Airport as Air India is expected to launch its services to Dubai and Sharjah soon. For the purpose, the airline company intends to use Boeing airplanes with carrying capacity of 160 passengers for each trip. The immigration staff of Vijayawada police wing have recently received training from the Immigration Society of India and are currently practising in Hyderabad’s Shamshabad airport.
G Madhusudhan Rao commented on the development: “We have got all clearances from the aviation ministry for international services. International airline companies are coming forward and showing interest to launch direct services. As many NRIs hail from Krishna, Guntur and West Godavari districts, the direct flight services would benefit them. Also, industrialists and the businessmen are eagerly awaiting such a service in Vijayawada so that they can avoid travelling to Hyderabad or Chennai.”
Speaking to Express, city-based industrialist Potluri Bhaskar Rao explained the relevance of international services for the airport. “The development of Amaravati region is interlinked to the development of Gannavaram airport. Connectivity plays a vital role in the development of business as direct services will ease travel and save time. We have been requesting the government to bring such services connecting Dubai and Singapore, which will make easier to communicate with Middle Eastern countries.”Airport officials have redesigned the old terminal and are in the process of readying it for the international services by March 15. An estimate of `50 lakh have been spent for the purpose.