Roberta Aguirre
Vijayawada Airport, officially known as Vijayawada International Airport (IATA: VGA, ICAO: VOBZ), is located in Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India. The airport, which served as a military base during World War II, now caters to an increasing number of passengers with various facilities and services. It is about 18 km from the city centre and is known for its spaciousness and comfortable seating.
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What You'll Learn
Vijayawada Airport's history as a World War II military base
Vijayawada Airport, also known as Gannavaram Airport, is located in Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India. The airfield located in Gannavaram served as an important army base during World War II.
During World War II, the military purchased or leased several local airports for use as military airfields. The Vijayawada airfield was one of them. The army expanded the airfield and built hangars to accommodate military aircraft and serve as a patrol base. The base was likely used to train bomber pilots and crews, similar to the Ephrata Army Airfield, which was also a bomber-training facility during the war.
After World War II, the airfield was converted into a civilian airport. This was a common occurrence, as many airports that served as military bases during the war were returned to their previous owners and resumed civilian operations. The Vijayawada airfield joined the ranks of these airports, transitioning from a military base to a civilian hub.
In 2003, Air Deccan introduced daily flights between Hyderabad and Vijayawada, marking the beginning of civilian flight operations at the airport. Until 2011, Kingfisher Airlines operated as the sole carrier at the airport, providing only four flights per day. However, in 2011, Air India, Spicejet, and Jet Airways launched direct flights to the airport, increasing its connectivity.
Today, Vijayawada Airport continues to serve the region, accommodating both narrow and wide-body aircraft on its runway. The airport has witnessed expansions and improvements to cater to the growing passenger traffic, including the construction of a new interim terminal building in 2015.
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The airport's location and proximity to Vijayawada
Vijayawada Airport, also known as Vijayawada International Airport, is located in Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India. The airport is situated on a 500-acre plot of land bordered by farms and is about 18 kilometres from the city centre of Vijayawada. Vijayawada is a town in the centre of Andhra Pradesh, located on the shores of the Krishna River. The airport is easily accessible from National Highway 16, which connects Chennai to Kolkata. APSRTC operates an Airport Liner City Bus service from PNBS, and cab services such as Ola Cabs, Uber, and Rapido are also available to and from the airport.
The history of Vijayawada Airport dates back to World War II when it served as an army base. After the war, it was converted into a civilian airport, initially serving only defence airlines. Over time, the airport has expanded and now handles both domestic and international flights. In 2018, Vijayawada Airport inaugurated its first international flight to Singapore Changi Airport, marking a significant milestone.
Vijayawada Airport is well-equipped to handle a growing number of passengers. The airport's runway can accommodate both narrow and wide-body aircraft, and it has a spacious terminal with check-in counters, an arrival hall, a meet-and-greet area, an aviation lounge, and baggage pick-up services. The terminal can handle up to 500 passengers at a time, ensuring a comfortable experience for travellers.
The airport is known for its pleasant atmosphere and convenient amenities. It offers various services and facilities for departing passengers, including assistance with connecting flights and terminal transfers. The airport also provides important travel information, such as check-in data, flight details, and airport services for both departures and arrivals, ensuring a seamless journey for its patrons.
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Airlines that fly to Vijayawada Airport
Vijayawada Airport, also known as Vijayawada International Airport, is located in Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India. The airport's runway can handle both narrow and wide-body aircraft, and the terminal can accommodate up to 500 passengers at a time.
Several airlines operate at Vijayawada Airport, providing domestic and international connections. Here is a list of some of the airlines that have served or currently serve the airport:
- Air Deccan: This airline introduced a daily service between Hyderabad and Vijayawada in September 2003.
- Kingfisher Airlines: Until 2011, Kingfisher Airlines operated four flights per day from Vijayawada Airport.
- Air India: The flag carrier Air India started direct flights to Vijayawada Airport in 2011. They continue to offer flights to Vijayawada, with fares starting at USD 333 in 2025.
- SpiceJet: This private airline commenced direct flights to Vijayawada Airport in 2011.
- Jet Airways: Jet Airways also launched direct flights to the airport in 2011 but later terminated its service.
- Air Costa: This regional airline began operations in October 2013, with Vijayawada as its operational hub, but later suspended its services.
- Indigo: On December 4, 2018, Indigo operated the inaugural international flight from Vijayawada Airport to Singapore Changi Airport. However, the flight service was terminated in July 2019.
It is recommended to use flight search engines and travel platforms, such as Expedia, to find the most up-to-date information on airlines and flight deals for Vijayawada Airport. These platforms allow users to compare fares, check flexible dates, and book flights that suit their preferences and budgets.
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The airport's facilities and services
Vijayawada International Airport (IATA: VGA, ICAO: VOBZ) is located in Gannavaram, 25 km from Vijayawada, India. The airport has two terminals, with the new integrated terminal building currently under construction. The new terminal is expected to be completed by June 2025 and will be able to handle 1200 passengers at peak times, with 24 check-in counters, five conveyor belts, 14 immigration counters, three customs counters, and eight gates and six aerobridges. The airport's runway can handle both narrow and wide-body aircraft.
The interim terminal, which opened in January 2017, covers 12,999 square metres and includes a check-in area, arrival hall, meet-and-greet service staircase, aviation lounge, and baggage pick-up area. The lounge is quite large, covering 3,613 square metres, and the terminal can accommodate up to 500 passengers at a time with 18 check-in counters, two conveyor belts, and six gates. The terminal was designed to handle two million passengers per year and was expected to be sufficient for four to five years after its opening.
The airport is spread over 1265 acres and has 24 parking bays for various aircraft, including A320, B737, ATR-72, and Bombardier Q400. The new terminal building will also have parking facilities for an additional 1,250 automobiles.
Vijayawada Airport is easily accessible by road, as it is located on National Highway 16, which connects Chennai to Kolkata. The APSRTC operates an Airport Liner City Bus service, and cab services such as Ola Cabs, Uber, and Rapido are also available to and from the airport.
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The airport's expansion plans
Vijayawada Airport, officially known as Vijayawada International Airport, is located in Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India. The airport's history dates back to World War II when it served as an army base. After the war, it was converted into a civilian airport. Over the years, the airport has undergone expansions and improvements to accommodate increasing passenger traffic.
To address the growing passenger traffic, a new interim terminal building was proposed, and its foundation stone was laid in October 2015. This terminal, with a size of 12,999 square meters, includes essential facilities such as a check-in area, arrival hall, staircase for meet and greet services, an aviation lounge, and a baggage pick-up area. The lounge itself spans 3,613 square meters, and the terminal can handle up to 500 passengers at a time with 18 check-in counters, 2 conveyor belts, and 6 gates.
The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, has set a deadline of June 2025 for the completion of the integrated terminal building. As of November 2024, officials reported that approximately 60% of the terminal project had been completed, along with progress on the air traffic control (ATC) tower, which stands at 52% completion. In addition to the terminal expansion, the Chief Minister also unveiled plans for constructing five new airstrips across the state.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Vijayawada has an international airport.
Vijayawada Airport is located in Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India.
The airport code for Vijayawada Airport is VGA (IATA) and VOBZ (ICAO).
Vijayawada Airport offers various services and facilities, including check-in counters, arrival hall, baggage pick-up area, aviation lounge, bus and cab services, and more.
Yes, there are several hotels near Vijayawada Airport, including luxury options. You can find information about nearby hotels and their contact details on the airport's website.
