APATA urges govt. to solve logistical issues before Bhogapuram airport inauguration

Ahead of the launch of the Bhogapuram International Airport, the members of Andhra Pradesh Air Travellers’ Association (APATA) have urged the government to address temporary challenges likely to be faced by the air travellers from the city.

Addressing the media on Saturday, APATA president Kumar Raja and vice-president O. Naresh Kumar said that until flyovers, exclusive lanes or a high-speed airport expressway are built, the citizens will face logistical difficulties while commuting to Bhogapuram, which is around 50 km from the city.

He said that the current travel involves 13 to 22 traffic signals, heavy peak-hour congestion, and limited public transport, resulting in travel time ranging between 75 minutes and 120 minutes.

The practical travel time from the city to the airport is approximately 2 hours, in addition to the mandatory 2-hour early reporting time for flights, where the taxi fares from Visakhapatnam to Bhogapuram currently range between ₹2,500 and ₹4,000 per one-way drop or pickup, he pointed out.

Excluding air travel costs, passengers would be forced to spend an additional ₹5,000 to ₹8,000 per round trip, causing a significant financial burden, he said and expressed concern that due to traffic congestion, passengers would face an increased risk of missing flights.

APATA vice-president D.S. Varma urged the government to continue the operation of three morning flights from 5.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. and three evening flights from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. from the Visakhapatnam airport to major metro destinations.

“This will not come in the way of slots given to flights operated by the Navy. This will benefit senior citizens, medical and emergency travellers, and those who cannot afford longer travel times until road connectivity improves,” he said.

Mr. Varma sought the speedy completion of critical access roads and fast-trackong of the infrastructure needed to ensure seamless connectivity to Bhogapuram airport which includes coastal corridor road ,12 flyovers between Gajuwaka and Bhogapuram and the Master Plan roads.

He requested the government to consider the development of seven new ‘no-frills’ airports across the State, on the lines of the Kadapa and Kurnool airport models.

He also suggested that the GMR Group should run frequent, comfortable, electric AC buses from the key points in the city to Bhogapuram, offering an affordable travel option to passengers.

The association sought the establishment of world-class passenger lounges with comfortable seating, decent food arrangements and a medical shop and ATM at major locations such as RK Beach, VMRDA Park, Gajuwaka, Seethammadhara and other prominent points.