Vijayawada: If all goes well, the first international air carrier is set to take off from Gannavaram International Airport this year, provided that the under-construction terminal building is completed on time. Emirates Airlines, which conducted a technical feasibility study to launch a direct flight service between Vijayawada and Dubai, has expressed satisfaction with the available technical amenities at the airport. However, the major drawback of Gannavaram Airport is the absence of an aerobridge, which allows passengers to board the airplane directly from the airport terminal.
Speaking to TOI, Vijayawada airport director M Lakshmikanth Reddy said, “A three-member team from Emirates Airlines conducted the technical feasibility study and assessed the technical amenities available at the airport. While the Emirates team expressed satisfaction with the airport’s runway length, automated baggage handling system, and other services, they pointed out the lack of a dedicated aerobridge.”
“Emirates, being a sophisticated international airline, always strives to provide the best travel services to its customers. The team insisted on an aerobridge, as they will not allow their passengers to board or alight an aircraft using a plane ladder at any airport,” the airport director added.
It is worth noting that the new terminal building under construction is being equipped with six aerobridges. “The new terminal building will have six aerobridges—four catering to domestic aircraft and two exclusively for international aircraft—allowing six aircraft to be docked at a time on the runway,” the airport director informed. He said these aerobridges, once completed, will enable international carriers to launch operations from the airport. The official further explained that while the airline completed its technical feasibility assessment and examined the infrastructure, the crucial financial feasibility assessment—evaluating financial viability and passenger demand on the proposed Vijayawada-Dubai route—still needs to be conducted.
Speaking to TOI, Vijayawada airport director M Lakshmikanth Reddy said, “A three-member team from Emirates Airlines conducted the technical feasibility study and assessed the technical amenities available at the airport. While the Emirates team expressed satisfaction with the airport’s runway length, automated baggage handling system, and other services, they pointed out the lack of a dedicated aerobridge.”
“Emirates, being a sophisticated international airline, always strives to provide the best travel services to its customers. The team insisted on an aerobridge, as they will not allow their passengers to board or alight an aircraft using a plane ladder at any airport,” the airport director added.
It is worth noting that the new terminal building under construction is being equipped with six aerobridges. “The new terminal building will have six aerobridges—four catering to domestic aircraft and two exclusively for international aircraft—allowing six aircraft to be docked at a time on the runway,” the airport director informed. He said these aerobridges, once completed, will enable international carriers to launch operations from the airport. The official further explained that while the airline completed its technical feasibility assessment and examined the infrastructure, the crucial financial feasibility assessment—evaluating financial viability and passenger demand on the proposed Vijayawada-Dubai route—still needs to be conducted.
