Fly Bigger And Better From Vijayawada: Airport Ready For Wide-Body Aircraft Operations As Runway Is Strengthened

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has said that wide-body aircraft would now be able to operate from Vijayawada airport as the existing runway has been strengthened and extended, Zee Business reports.

The runways from 8 to 26, were strengthened and extended from 2,286 metres to 3,360 metres. The associated works were done at a cost of Rs 145 crore.

"The airport will now be able to facilitate operations of wide-body aircraft," the AAI said in a release on Tuesday. Besides, the existing runway 05/23 at Rajahmundry airport has been strengthened and extended to 3,165 metres from 1,750 metres. This along with other works cost around Rs 181.45 crore, the AAI release said.

Minister of Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu, inaugurated the projects in Andhra Pradesh via video link from New Delhi. The minister also laid the foundation stone for the linear expansion of the Visakhapatnam Airport Terminal building. "The existing terminal area of 19,800 square metres will be expanded to 29,050 square metres at a cost of Rs 60 crore," the release said.