The Vizag Airport has come a long way since the introduction of Avros during the 1970s to expansion of the runway to 10,500 feet and introduction of Boeings and launching of international flights a couple of years ago.
“I was the first to operate an Avro flight to Vizag and the first to operate a Boeing during the early stages of expansion of the runway (from 6,500 feet to 7,500 feet in the mid-1980s),” recalled Capt S.N. Reddy, former Director of Air India, who is presently CEO Telangana Aviation Academy (formerly AP Aviation Academy) in Hyderabad. He was in the city to participate in a seminar on ‘Regional air connectivity and export of cargo by air’, organised by the Air Travellers’ Association (India), on Sunday.
Capt. Reddy took a trip down memory lane as he recalled his eventful career in Air India. “As Regional Director (Southern Region) of Air India I had introduced 14 international flights from various airports in south India like Chennai and Coimbatore to international destinations. I sought permission from our headquarters to make optimum use of the aircraft at our disposal to operate to international destinations.”
ADVERTISEMENT
“It was a record in the history of Air India that so many international flights were introduced in a span of six months. Indian Airlines, which was incurring losses for seven years, achieved profits in the southern region due to these operations. I received a cash award for my contribution,” he recalled.