Archive · 5 Sep 2026
New Vijayawada Terminal Set For October, Hub Model Planned
Vijayawada Airport is building a new terminal.
It is expected to be finished by October and opened soon afterward.
The terminal will have six aerobridges, escalators and modern technology.
It will also have room for future expansion.
After it opens, the airport could use a hub-and-spoke system.
This may allow international passengers to complete security and baggage checks at Vijayawada.
The airport currently handles about 22 flights and 2,000 passengers each day.
Officials want direct flights to Dubai and better flight times to cities in Andhra Pradesh.
They also want improved cargo facilities, including cold storage for perishable goods.
The new Vijayawada Airport terminal is expected to be completed by October and inaugurated shortly afterward.
The Airports Authority of India awarded the remaining terminal construction contract to a new contractor in June.
The terminal will feature multi-level operations, six aerobridges, escalators, modern technology and scope for expansion.
Airport director M. Lakshmi Kantha Reddy said a hub-and-spoke model could enable international security and baggage checks at Vijayawada.
AP Chambers sought direct Dubai flights, better regional timings and dedicated cold-storage cargo facilities.
- Who
- Vijayawada Airport director M. Lakshmi Kantha Reddy, the Airports Authority of India and AP Chambers president Potluri Bhaskara Rao.
- What
- A new airport terminal is nearing completion, with possible hub-and-spoke operations and expanded passenger and cargo services.
- When
- The construction contract was awarded in June; completion is expected by October, with inauguration shortly afterward.
- Where
- Vijayawada International Airport in Gannavaram, about 15 kilometers from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
- Why
- The new terminal could support international passenger processing, while AP Chambers is seeking stronger passenger connectivity and cargo infrastructure.
Airport Development Plans
Business and Passenger Requests
Terminal and hub operations
Airport Development Plans
Airport director M. Lakshmi Kantha Reddy said the new terminal could support a hub-and-spoke model and allow international security and baggage checks at Vijayawada.
Business and Passenger Requests
AP Chambers supported hub-and-spoke links to major international destinations but presented them as a connectivity need for passengers.
Connectivity priorities
Airport Development Plans
Airport officials cited existing domestic connections, international services to Singapore and Sharjah, and planned morning flights to Tirupati.
Business and Passenger Requests
AP Chambers requested direct Dubai connectivity and more convenient flight timings between Vijayawada and other Andhra Pradesh cities.
Cargo infrastructure
Airport Development Plans
The airport’s long-term plan is an exclusive integrated cargo terminal, with the existing terminal potentially used for cargo in the interim.
Business and Passenger Requests
AP Chambers called for a dedicated cold-storage cargo facility to transport perishable products.
- Current traffic
- About 22 flights and 2,000 passengers per day
- Terminal timeline
- Expected completion by October and inauguration shortly afterward
- Terminal features
- Multi-level operations, six aerobridges, escalators, state-of-the-art technology and scope for expansion
- Existing international services
- Flights to Singapore and Sharjah three times a week
- Planned domestic service
- Fly91 is expected to introduce morning flights to Tirupati
- Aircraft parking
- The apron can accommodate 26 aircraft
- Cargo proposal
- A long-term integrated cargo terminal is planned; the existing terminal could be converted for cargo meanwhile
