Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram are the only destinations in South India for most airlines, particularly the Middle East carriers operating one-stop flights between USA and India. After a long time, a tier-2 city from South India would join a major international airline’s network if things go well. This is Vijayawada, the cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh.
Emirates Airlines, one of the best for international flights to India from USA, is planning to serve Vijayawada Airport (VGA). Emirates will further connect Vijayawada to the United States via its hub, Dubai, for Telugu Diaspora in the Bay Area, the Texas Triangle (Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio), Chicagoland, Seattle, New Jersey, Boston, and Greater Washington (DMV). Precisely, Telugu Indians residing across Emirates’ network in the USA would get one more gateway to home other than Hyderabad RGI Airport.
In a recent report, the Times of India quoted Vijayawada Airport’s Director M Lakshmikanth saying, “A three-member team from Emirates Airlines conducted the technical feasibility study and assessed the amenities available at the airport. While the Emirates team express satisfaction with the airport’s runway length, automated baggage handling system, and other facilities, they pointed out the lack of a dedicated aerobridge at the airport.”
However, the airport director alleviated the concern saying that the new terminal building which is currently under construction at Vijayawada Airport would have 6 aerobridges. Four aerobridges for domestic airlines and two exclusively for international flight boarding. Completion of the aerobridges for international aircraft would be a green signal for Emirates Airlines to move closer to launching operations from Vijayawada Airport, he added.
“Reportedly, Emirates is yet to evaluate financial feasibility of passenger flight service to Vijayawada. It is as crucial as airport infrastructure inspection and technical feasibility assessment for a new destination launch. With the news of Emirates considering flying to and from Vijayawada, we are happy for those customers in America, who are from Andhra Pradesh. They would be able to reach home with just one stop in Dubai and bypassing Hyderabad,” said the chief travel economist of Indian Eagle Travel.
If things go well, Emirates Airlines’ new destinations in 2025 may include Vijayawada. There are not only strong reasons for you to book Emirates flights to India, but also airfare discounts for your upcoming travel to India/USA.
Vizag would have been better option as it has necessary infrastructure already
More US flyers are in Vijayawada and surrounding areas.
when are they starting. This flight will be full as soon as they start as there many from Krishna, west and east Godavari, Guntur, Prakasam districts traveling from US to Vijayawada and also from Africa and Middle east too
This is an amazing news, We use emirates quite a lot from New Jersey, but i always have to end my journey in Hyderabad and hire a taxi to reach my home town Vijayawada and do the same ritual while coming back to New Jersey. I can save at least 6-7 hours of travel time between Hyderabad and Vijayawada. Hoping this news becomes a reality sooner.
Good
It’s great news for teligu state ap definitely there will good no of people benefit with this move and emirates should be in a position for feasibility. We need to encourage
It will be very useful to AP people ?
Finally we can avoid going to Hyderabd. Hope it will materializes soon. Thank you.
Wonderful decision …Vijayawada is Central place for surrounding Andhra people…They can avoid the tiresome journey of going to Hyderabad
Good news for East,West, krishna and Guntur district people for travel abroad.
Eagerly waiting for this service.