Vizag airport to operate flights from Friday: Minister

The airport, according to preliminary estimates, suffered damage to the tune of Rs. 500 crore due to the impact of cyclone Hudhud.

A view of the Visakhapatnam Airport with its roof ripped off during the cyclone on Sunday. Photo: AP Government

The Civil Aviation Ministry is expecting that the complete restoration of the Hudhud-ravaged Visakhapatnam airport would take almost three months, even as Union Minister P. Ashok Gajapati Raju has announced that operation of flights to and from Visakhapatnam (Vizag) would commence from Friday.

The airport suffered heavy damage due to the 200-km speed gale that blew off the tops of several structures in the airport. Operation of flights had been put on hold ever since the weathermen had cautioned about the intensity of the cyclone. The devastation occurred at a time when the airport was being spruced up in anticipation of increase in frequency of international carriers.

Mr. Ashok Gajapati Raju, who inspected the Vizag airport premises on Thursday morning, said the airport had suffered immense damage due to the cyclone and it would take time for restoration of the facilities.

"Passengers should put up with the inconvenience and cooperate with the authorities till the restoration works are completed," he said.

The airport, according to preliminary estimates, suffered damage to the tune of Rs. 500 crore. An official announcement on the extent of total loss is yet to be made.