The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has ruled out the closure of Visakhapatnam International Airport even after the launch of the Bhogapuram Airport being built in Vizianagaram district.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) recently has intimated the Andhra Pradesh Airport Development Corporation Ltd (APADCL) of its decision to not close the city airport.

Cost implications

Reports emerged that the city airport would be shut down once the new airport is inaugurated, triggering protests from various quarters.

In response to a question by YSRCP MP V. Vijay Sai Reddy in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha stated that closure was not possible due to cost implications and heavy investments made in the Visakhapatnam International Airport. Mr. Sinha further pointed out that the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation had accorded in-principle clearance to Bhogapuram International Airport Corporation Limited, now known as APADCL, on October 7, 2016, and that development of the greenfield airport would be the sole responsibility of the developer.

Panel meet

As per the decision of the Standing Committee on Greenfield Airports, which met on November 26, the APADCL was communicated about the Centre s decision to operate the city airport even after the Bhogapuram airport was thrown open to passenger and cargo traffic.