Vizag is among the first few cities in India where we had expressed interest in launching flights from Dubai a few years ago. But, the Government of India had asked us to fly out of the airports from which flights were already operating to Dubai, says General Manager of Fly Dubai India Pran Satya Dasan.
“Vizag is now the key city in Andhra Pradesh and a natural hub for us as we have a large number of Indians working in Dubai not only from Visakhapatnam but also from Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, East and West Godavari districts. Vizag International Airport would serve their needs when there are direct flights. Fly Dubai, which started off as a low-cost carrier, still offers a large number of economy seats though it has introduced Business Class.”
Aviation industry has a multiplier effect on business, tourism and consumer economy and would contribute to the growth of the city.
“We have pressure from the expatriate Andhra community to operate direct services to Vizag.”
“We hope that the NDA government, which came out with the Open Sky policy for ASEAN countries in 2003, would extend the same to the Middle East as a large number of middle and lower middle classes are employed there,” Mr. Pran Dasan has hoped.
There is a tremendous demand from NRIs, the airlines are ready and the government is committed to develop Vizag as economic capital. Then what’s stopping it from encouraging new flights?
After all, where there is a will, there is a way.
“It took nearly two decades for Vizag to attain the status of an International Airport and even today Navy dictates the timetables of the airlines, which is unacceptable and they need to find quick solutions to provide 24/7 support,” says J.B.K. Kalyan of Aganampudi.
“Vizag needs development and needs industries to generate local employment. Walk into any local school or college and pull out the rolls for the last two decades and check if the alumni are in Vizag. You will be surprised to find that a majority of them have gone to North America, Europe, UK and Australia or settled in Bangalore or Hyderabad,” he says.
“It’s high time that Navy partners with Vizag citizens and helps in development of its infrastructure and industries. If the Navy is concerned about its own security, they need to learn quickly from other countries. Germany operates the busy Frankfurt Airport near an Air force base and the USA operates several civilian airports near high security areas like the Washington Reagan Airport.”
“It should not be difficult for ENC to support a world-class international airport at Vizag and prove that they are partners, well-wishers and friends of Vizag,” he adds.
