AP Registers 44% Growth In Air Passenger Traffic

Vijayawada: The AP State, which has been implementing dedicated Aviation Policies for development of airports, the major drivers for economic growth, investments and employment generation, has set a record as the fastest growing State in Civil Aviation sector with 44% growth in air passenger traffic. 

Significantly, the Visakhapatnam Airport is poised to cross 2 million(20 Lakhs) passengers in 2016-17, while 76% passenger growth is observed in Vijayawada. To cater the increasing passenger traffic in lieu of new state capital, new airport terminal is constructed at Vijayawada, which will act as an interim terminal before the International terminal is built.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, along with Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju will inaugurate the new terminal on January 12. The Chief Minister, while reviewing the progress of the proposed green fields airports at Bhogapuram (Vizianagaram), Dagadarthi (Nellore), Orvakallu (Kurnool) during a teleconference with  Satish Chandra, Spl. CS CMO,  G. Sai Prasad, Prl.secretary to CM, Prl. Secretary (Energy I&I, CRDA)  Ajay Jain has expressed satisfaction over the completion of terminal works within a year.

With the sole objective of promoting Civil Aviation sector in the State in a big way, the tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) has been reduced to 1% thereby increasing viability of airlines to operate from AP. With successful implementation of dedicated aviation policies such as AP Civil Aviation Policy and the AP Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing Policy will pave the path for development of more number of airports for the economic growth & investments apart from creation of Employment opportunities. This will also create competition among airline players and lead to lower air travel cost to common man, said CM.