Good news for tens of thousands of NRIs who visit the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh every year! Tirupati Airport is gearing up for direct international flights. Overseas Indians will no longer need to travel to Tirupati on domestic flights from Chennai, Hyderabad, or Bengaluru.
Once the international terminal, which was inaugurated in 2015, is ready for international services, Indians from abroad can directly fly to Tirupati via the Gulf region instead of booking flights to Hyderabad or Chennai or Bengaluru.
The Middle East is a major connection between South India and other countries including the USA. Many US to India flights for Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi and Hyderabad transit through the Middle East airports. Direct flights to Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh via Abu Dhabi or Doha or Dubai will make the journey shorter and easier than it is now.
Whether direct air travel to Tirupati via the Gulf will be as pocket-friendly as cheap flights to Chennai and other major South Indian cities, is a question to be discussed later on. Usually, Indians abroad book cheap air tickets to Bengaluru, Hyderabad or Chennai and catch domestic flights to Tirupati from the arrival city, since Tirupati is a short flight away from these cities.
Indian government accorded international status to Tirupati Airport in June 2017. The airport’s international terminal is currently being equipped with facilities for immigration and customs. Once the hurdles for land acquisition are removed, the existing runway will be expanded for Boeing 777, which the runway should be 12,500 feet long for. The existing 7,500-foot runway is suitable for aircraft with 180 seats.
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Andhra Pradesh Tourism has an all-inclusive package for international tourists and overseas pilgrims including NRIs on visit to the Tirupati Tirumala Temple. The package comprises a special darshan of Lord Swami Venkateswara, decent hotel accommodation, airport transfer to and from hotel, and a trip to religious places around Tirupati like Kalahasti, Kailasakona and Kanipakam.
With the Tirupati Tirumala Balaji Temple and Vishakhapatnam (Vizag) beaches drawing footfalls in increasing numbers, Andhra Pradesh has become the most popular tourist destination in India. Many times more tourists visit the Tirumala Temple than the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Gateway of India in Mumbai, the Ajanta-Ellora in Maharashtra and the centuries-old forts in Rajasthan.
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Once Tirupati Renigunta Airport is operational for direct international flights, the current number of tourists will shoot up.
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It is become dream for gulf NRI to have direct international flight service many thanks to centre government and as well to state government.
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this news we hearing since 5 years, but when it comes to practical we do not but God knows but it is an insult to Andra, take an example in Kerala as soon as they started flight operation, I do not understand why they come to understand that runway is short, when they are building the airport they do not about it, I think this is just an excuse, already centre is enemy is for Andra, I do not know what Chandra babu will do, but I do not have hope in Jagan.
We are still waiting with a hope for NRI who can afford to visit the temple with direct flight that would definitely benefit the travellers plan and if a accommodation can be done inbetween would help the travellers to wait if any delay in return flights or visiting tirupati.
Will be a benefit to NRI who are regular visitors to temple and get the lord venkateshwara blessing.
Hopefully will be started soon.
Many from Rayalaseema region travel to Gulf countries for work purpose it will be beneficial for them also as less travel in cabs compared to cities plus it gives lot of employment opportunities for smart cities like tirupathi – travel services Cabs and hotels for a accomodation rather than metrocity centric development.Government think for next 50 years vision build these kind if airports. As next tier cities will grow also since it is very close to Bangalore and Chennai good back up location for IT and manufacture since it being pilligrim city if there is any security concern they can develop industries and companies little away from city. having international flight connections and required infrastructure excite few companies and other companies will follow as rental cost and land cost will be less compared to Chennai and reduced natural calamities. It gives employment opportunities around Rayalaseema region since it being backward and undeveloped compared to other parts government should emphasize focus on these undeveloped areas.