Amaravati, November 10, 2025: Vijayawada Airport, upgraded to international operations in 2017, has faced repeated delays in launching a direct flight to Dubai, despite surveys indicating a strong preference for routes like Singapore, with over 2.5 lakh people backing the idea.
Early passenger traffic stood at 2.31 lakh in 2014-15, climbing to 12 lakh by 2018-19 under previous efforts, but dipped during the subsequent administration when daily flights fell from 60 to 24, cutting numbers sharply. Officials now project over 15 lakh travellers in 2025-26, but the Dubai service remains pending.
The earlier TDP regime in 2019 sought bids under the Viability Gap Funding policy to kickstart the route, but the change to YSRCP halted it, even as Sharjah flights run twice weekly and Singapore services ramp up from November 15.
A Dubai connection could open doors to the US, China, Australia, Europe, and beyond, easing travel for lakhs annually and boosting connectivity.
