24-hr operations at city airport for 5 days, says Purandeswari

Union Minister says that beginning New Year’s Day the airport would function 24x7

The Navy has been opposing 24x7 operations saying that there is no potential to operate flights round-the-clock on all days.

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry D. Purandeswari on Wednesday announced the launching of 24-hour operations at INS Dega airport here for five days a week from November 1 and 24x7 from January 1.

She told a meeting of CII on removal of trade barriers for economic growth here that the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had conveyed the good news to her in response to continuous lobbying to introduce 24x7 operations at the Visakhapatnam International Airport.

The airport is under the administrative control of the Indian Navy. At present, International flights leave to Singapore and Dubai. Introduction of flights to Colombo and Bangkok are at the proposal stage.

Though the Minister announced the decision, there is no official confirmation neither from the airport nor the defence authorities.

The Navy has been opposing 24x7 operations saying that there is no potential to operate flights round-the-clock on all days.