Vijayawada Airport Advisory Committee (AAC)Chairman and MP from Machilipatnam, Vallabhaneni Balashowry, has discussed the possibility of launching a direct flight from Vijayawada to New York.
Mr. Balashowry highlighted the economic benefits of such a travel route. ‘Establishing a direct flight to New York would not only bolster tourism but significantly enhance trade relations, attracting more investment into our region,’ he said.
MP Balashowry shared the ambitious goal in a meeting with Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath and officials on October 5, 2024.
An Integrated Terminal at Vijayawada Airport is projected for completion by June 2025. Infrastructure-wise, the Vijayawada Airport’s ongoing development, particularly the new terminal, is designed to handle international traffic, including wide-body aircraft necessary for long-haul flights like Vijayawada to New York.
Mr. Balashowry also emphasized the need for governmental and airline collaboration. ‘This isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s about seeing a vision through. We need airlines to see the potential of this route, and for that, we might consider incentives or viability gap funding to kickstart such services,’ he added, echoing past strategies used for initiating international flights from Vijayawada.
The meeting also discussed adequately compensating those who were displaced because of the airport’s development.