Air travel from Vijayawada is set to become more convenient as IndiGo has started a new flight service connecting the city with Varanasi and Kolkata.
The new service will operate three days a week — Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Varanasi will be the intermediate stop between Vijayawada and Kolkata.
The new flights were launched at Vijayawada International Airport in the presence of Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Machilipatnam MP Vallabhaneni Balashowry.
Vijayawada-Varanasi-Kolkata Flight Timings
According to the schedule, IndiGo flight 6E6501 will depart from Kolkata at 2:10 pm and reach Varanasi at 3:55 pm.
It will then continue to Vijayawada and arrive at 5:50 pm.
The return flight, 6E6502, will leave Vijayawada at 6:20 pm and reach Varanasi at 8:15 pm.
It will then continue to Kolkata, arriving at 10:15 pm.
The new service received a strong response on its first day.
Around 89 passengers travelled from Varanasi to Vijayawada, while 129 passengers flew from Vijayawada to Varanasi.
Boost for Pilgrimage and Other Travel
The new Vijayawada-Varanasi connection is expected to make travel easier for people visiting important religious destinations.
The service will improve air connectivity between Sri Kanaka Durga Amma temple in Vijayawada and Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.
The flights could also benefit passengers travelling for business, education, medical treatment and tourism.
For people in Andhra Pradesh, the Kolkata connection may also provide more convenient travel options for eastern India.
More Flights Could Be Added Soon
Vijayawada may soon get additional flight connections.
According to reports, services to Pune, Ahmedabad and Cochin could be introduced in the coming period.
There is also a demand for a direct Vijayawada-Dubai flight.
Such a service could make international travel easier for passengers from Andhra Pradesh.
Dubai could also provide onward connections to destinations across Africa, Europe and the Americas.
Vijayawada Airport May Become Part of a Larger Air Network
The government is also planning Hub-and-Spoke operations for Vijayawada Airport.
Under this system, Vijayawada could be connected with major international hub airports.
Passengers may eventually be able to complete customs and immigration procedures at Vijayawada before taking connecting flights from international hubs.
Work is also progressing on the airport’s new integrated terminal building.
The design is expected to showcase the art and culture of the region.
New terminal projects at Vijayawada, Rajahmundry and Kadapa are also reportedly nearing completion.
In addition, plans are being discussed for future seaplane operations at destinations including Prakasam Barrage, Srisailam, Hussain Sagar and Nagarjuna Sagar.
With these developments, Vijayawada’s air connectivity could expand significantly, giving passengers more options for domestic and international travel.
