Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

International flights in three months: TSR

VISAKHAPATNAM: Union Minister of State for Mines T. Subbarami Reddy on Wednesday said international flights would have stoppage at the city airport in two to three months.

“There is delay fuelling speculation on having international connectivity. But I want to make it clear that night landing will be launched at the INS Dega airport within a few days after obtaining clearance from the Defence Ministry,” he told the inaugural meeting of a two-day conference on Visakhapatnam-Kakinada coastal growth corridor.

Mr. Reddy said sparing extra manpower by the Defence Ministry for manning flight operations at night turned into a ticklish issue as the airport was under the control of the Navy. He said he spoke to the Union Ministers for Defence and Finance to sort out the matter.

Four or five years ago, flight connectivity was a big problem as two flights under operation at that time used to be cancelled very often for want of occupancy but now getting tickets to various destinations was a big problem even after introduction of six flights, he pointed out.

Mr. Reddy said the city’s importance was growing due to establishment of various industries and massive expansion plans being undertaken by NTPC, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. and other companies.

Minister for Infrastructure M. Venkata Ramana Rao, Infrastructure Department Secretary Manmohan Singh, AP Infrastructure and Investment Corporation Managing Director Sanjay Jaju, CII State Head Saugar Mukherjee and CCI zonal chairman Varma Vegesna spoke.

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