Also known as Gannavaram Airport, Vijayawada Airport is located in Andhra Pradesh on NH16 that connects Chennai and Kolkata. While mostly facilitating domestic flight operations, this airport is also connected to the Middle East, making it the third international airport of Andhra Pradesh alongside Visakhapatnam and Tirupati. Read on to find out more about Vijayawada Airport.
See also: All about Bhogapuram International Airport Andhra Pradesh
Vijayawada Airport: Fact file
| Names | Vijayawada Airport, Vijayawada International Airport, Gannavaram Airport |
| IATA | VGA |
| Owner and operator | Airports Authority of India |
| Location | NH16, Gannavaram, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh – 521102 |
| Total area | 1265 acres |
| Terminal area | 12,999 sqm |
| Terminal capacity | 500 |
| Number of check-in counters | 18 |
| Number of runways | 1 |
| Annual footfall (April 2022 – March 2023) | 966,383 |
Flight operations
Vijayawada Airport facilitates flight operations to various popular domestic destinations. Here is a brief guide to the destinations you can reach from here and the airline companies offering services:
| Location | Airline | Flights/week | |
| Domestic | Bangalore | Alliance Air, IndiGo | 40 |
| Chennai | IndiGo | 13 | |
| Delhi | Air India | 14 | |
| Hyderabad | IndiGo | 49 | |
| Shirdi | IndiGo | 7 | |
| Tirupati | IndiGo | 7 | |
| Visakhapatnam | IndiGo | 7 | |
| International | Sharjah | Air India Express | 2 |
Expansion
Vijayawada Airport is all set to gain a brand new integrated terminal building in response to the ever-increasing footfall. The foundation stone of the new terminal was laid on 4 December 2018 by the former vice president Venkaiah Naidu and former Minister of Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu. The new terminal is expected to be completed by early next year.
New terminal features
The new terminal is being constructed at an estimated cost of a whopping Rs 611 crore and covers an area of almost 25,000 sqm. This terminal is expected to have a capacity to handle a daily footfall of about 1200 passengers with 24 check-in counters, 14 immigration counters and six customs counters. Additionally, the infrastructural facilities also include eight gates and six aerobridges that are suitable for larger aircrafts than the infrastructure of the existing terminal allows for.
How to reach Vijayawada Airport?
Vijayawada Airport is strategically located on a major national highway. NH16, on which the airport stands, connects two key metro cities of the country, namely Chennai and Kolkata. The airport is easily accessible by various means of transport. Here is how you can reach the airport:
By road
The airport is located in Gannavaram, a location that is slightly away from the main city. At a distance of about 17 km from the city centre, Vijayawada Airport can be easily accessed by road via NH16. You can reach here by auto rickshaw, cab or a bus.
By train
The nearest railway station to the airport is Vijayawada Railway Station that is around 19 km away. Once you get off the train, you can easily find a cab or book one through mobile applications to take you to the airport.
By bus
At a distance of around 22 km, the Vijayawada Bus Station or Pandit Nehru Bus Station is the nearest to the airport. Several buses ply to the airport from here throughout the day. You can easily find one that suits your convenience.
Real estate impact
The upcoming terminal of Vijayawada airport is expected to bring about a major boost to the real estate market in the vicinity. With a spike in tourism, the development of other economic activities is bound to follow in the region, thereby considerably improving the standard of living here. These factors make the region appealing for potential investors looking for lucrative options. Some popular and in-demand localities surrounding the airport include Gunnavaram, Nidamanuru and Gudavalli.
FAQs
What are the names of Vijayawada Airport?
Vijayawada Airport is also known as Vijayawada International Airport or Gunnavaram Airport.
Which airline companies conduct flight operations from Vijayawada Airport?
IndiGo, Air India and Air India Express are some of the airlines that operate from Vijayawada Airport to connect it to major cities.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
The city centre is located at a distance of 17 km from the airport and is easily accessible by road via auto rickshaw, cab or bus.
Does Vijayawada Airport have any international flights?
Vijayawada Airport connects Andhra Pradesh to the Middle East through a flight to Sharjah that operates twice a week.
Is there a lounge at Vijayawada Airport?
Vijayawada Airport has comfortable lounges for passengers with seating areas, refreshments and internet access.
Are there facilities in place for passengers with special needs?
Vijayawada Airport provides wheelchair assistance and accessible washrooms for passengers with special needs.
Are there any hotels near Vijayawada Airport?
Yes, Hotel Park Elite, OYO Pramukh Heights, Hyatt Palace and Novotel are some of the hotels near the airport.
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