The airport was constructed during the British era and is spread over an area of 366 acres (148 ha).[citation needed] It was served by Vayudoot between 1985 and 1994 and by VIF Airways in 1995.[5] The Government of Andhra Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth ₹23 crore (equivalent to ₹69 crore or US$8.7 million in 2023) with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in February 2007 for modernising the airport.[4] Works on a new terminal building to accommodate 150 passengers and an Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower were completed in 2011 at a cost of ₹38 crore (US$4.8 million). The terminal was inaugurated on 16 May 2012.[6]
Limited by the runway length, airlines operate smaller 70-seater turboprop aircraft like the ATR-72 and the De Haviland Canada Dash 8-Q400. The AAI has extended the existing runway from 1,749 metres (5,738 ft) to 3,165 metres (10,384 ft) to enable landing of aircraft like the Airbus A320 and Airbus A321, which was inaugurated by the former Minister of Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu, on 12 February 2019.[7] Approximately, 800 acres have been acquired for this expansion.[6] The government is aiming to develop this airport to international standards.[8]
Expansion
To facilitate trade, connectivity, socio-economic development and tourism in the state, the airport has been undergoing stages of expansion since the Airports Authority of India (AAI) first drafted the plan for future development of the airport in 2007. The present state of the airport will not be able to cope with the rising traffic and demands in the future. After the runway extended to its present length in 2019, the airport has been proposed to be upgraded to international standards. The existing terminal was proposed to be small in area, in order to leave space for a larger terminal for serving the future requirements.[9]
In December 2023, the Minister of Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya Scindia, laid the foundation stone for the construction of the new passenger terminal building. The new terminal, to be developed by the AAI, at an estimated cost of ₹ 350 crore, will span an area of about 22,000 sq.m. It will have 28 check-in counters and four aerobridges for handling Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 type aircraft, and will be able to serve over 2,100 passengers during peak hours and 3 million passengers annually, which is ten times more than the current capacity of the existing terminal, thus, making it possible for the airport to achieve the target of converting into an international airport. For improving trade, like the export of flowers and aqua products from Rajamahendravaram and adjoining regions, a cargo terminal will also be established within the area of the new terminal. An additional 17,000 sq.m. will also be acquired for further expansion in the future. The new terminal, along with the cargo terminal, are expected to be completed after two years of construction, by December 2025.[10][11]
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