Ajay Kumar at 17:05, 24 August 2023

2023-08-24T17:05:18Z

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{{Short description|Domestic airport in Andhra Pradesh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Kurnool Airport
| image = Kurnool Airport KJB 1.jpg
| caption =
| IATA = KJB
| ICAO = VOKU
| type = Public
| owner = Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Limited (APADCL)
| city-served = [[Kurnool]]
| location = [[Orvakal]], [[Kurnool district]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[India]]
| timezone = [[Indian Standard Time]]
| utc = +5:30
| elevation-m = 344.11
| coordinates = {{coord|15|42|22|N|78|09|39|E|display=inline,title}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.apadcl.com|Official website}}
| pushpin_map = India Andhra Pradesh#India
| pushpin_label = '''KJB'''
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of airport in Andhra Pradesh
| r1-number = 10/28<ref name="Length">{{cite web|url=https://www.apadcl.com/tender_docs/154893726031012019-SITC%20of%20Night%20Landing%20Facilities%20at%20Kurnool%20Airport.pdf|title=S.I.T.C. of Night Landing Facilities at Kurnool Airport in Andhra Pradesh|work=Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Limited |access-date=2 February 2019|page=8|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101132539/https://www.apadcl.com/tender_docs/154893726031012019-SITC%20of%20Night%20Landing%20Facilities%20at%20Kurnool%20Airport.pdf|archive-date=1 January 2020}}</ref>
| r1-length-f = 6,562
| r1-length-m = 2000
| footnotes = Source: [[Airports Authority of India|AAI]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure III – Passenger Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/rev_Mar2k23Annex3.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=2 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure II – Aircraft Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/rev_Mar2k23Annex2.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=2 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Annexure IV – Freight Movement Data|url=https://www.aai.aero/sites/default/files/traffic-news/rev_Mar2k23Annex4.pdf|website=aai.aero|access-date=2 May 2023}}</ref>
| opened = {{start date and age|2021|03|28|df=y|p=n|br=n}}<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=29 March 2021|title=Kurnool airport opens, to house south India's biggest industrial park|work=Deccan Chronicle|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/280321/kurnool-airport-to-house-south-indias-biggest-industrial-park.html|url-status=live|access-date=29 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331095601/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/280321/kurnool-airport-to-house-south-indias-biggest-industrial-park.html|archive-date=31 March 2021}}</ref>
| stat1-header = Passengers
| stat1-data = 38,622 ({{increase}} 22.5%)
| stat-year = April 2022 - March 2023
| stat2-header = Aircraft movements
| stat2-data = 1,412 ({{increase}} 14.4%)
| stat3-header = Cargo tonnage
| stat3-data = —
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
}}

'''Kurnool Airport''' {{Airport codes|KJB|VOKU}}, also known as '''Orvakal Airport''' and officially known as '''Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy Airport''',<ref name="The New Indian Express">{{cite news |title=Kurnool airport named after freedom fighter Narasimha Reddy |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2021/mar/26/kurnool-airport-named-after-freedom-fighter-narasimha-reddy-2281824.html |access-date=26 March 2021 |work=The New Indian Express|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326051104/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2021/mar/26/kurnool-airport-named-after-freedom-fighter-narasimha-reddy-2281824.html |archive-date=26 March 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> is a [[domestic airport]] serving the city of [[Kurnool]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[India]]. It is located at [[Orvakal]], situated on [[National Highway 40 (India)|National Highway 40]], about {{cvt|18|km}} from Kurnool and {{cvt|54|km}} from [[Nandyal]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Pre-feasibility Report |url= http://environmentclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/Online/TOR/0_0_24_Dec_2015_1902045231PFR_Oravakallu.pdf | access-date= 4 January 2019 }}</ref> The airport covers an area of {{Convert|1008|acre|km2|abbr=on}}, and has been built at a cost of {{INRConvert|153|c|year=2021}} as a low-cost airport to improve connectivity to remote areas. It began commercial operations on 28 March 2021.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=29 March 2021|title=Kurnool airport opens, to house south India's biggest industrial park|work=Deccan Chronicle|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/280321/kurnool-airport-to-house-south-indias-biggest-industrial-park.html|url-status=live|access-date=29 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331095601/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/280321/kurnool-airport-to-house-south-indias-biggest-industrial-park.html|archive-date=31 March 2021}}</ref> It has been named after [[Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy]], who was a prominent [[List of Indian independence activists|freedom fighter]] in the 19th century.<ref name="The New Indian Express"/>

==History==

=== Planning ===
In 2008, the [[Government of Andhra Pradesh]] invited for expressions of interest to develop eight minor airports in the state, including an airport at Kurnool. Each airport was expected to cost {{INRConvert|50|c|year=2008}}. The airports were to be built in {{Convert|500|-|600|acre|km2|abbr=on}} with a runway length of {{Convert|6000|ft|m}}. The construction of this airport was chosen, because Kurnool has a large paper mill producing 300 tonnes of paper every day.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Chowdhury|first=Anirban|date=19 January 2008|title=Andhra plans 8 small airports|work=Rediff India Abroad|url=https://www.rediff.com/money/2008/jan/19ap.htm|url-status=live|access-date=18 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503025310/http://www.rediff.com:80/money/2008/jan/19ap.htm|archive-date=3 May 2008}}</ref>

In July 2009, the government scrapped the plans as no companies posted bids for the construction of the airport. The companies sought the construction to be infeasible due to low expectation of revenues. In October 2009, the government has planned to invite fresh bids for 4 airports including Kurnool Airport, to be constructed in {{Convert|500|acre|km2|abbr=on}}. The government offered additional incentives including exemption from value added taxes and waiver of lease rentals for the first seven years, once the airport is operational.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2 October 2009|title=Andhra to invite bids for 4 airports with new incentives|work=Mint|url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/hLC4Cp6ZwP7ahEUnNrAolM/Andhra-to-invite-bids-for-4-airports-with-new-incentives.html|url-status=live|access-date=27 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404115855/https://www.livemint.com/Politics/hLC4Cp6ZwP7ahEUnNrAolM/Andhra-to-invite-bids-for-4-airports-with-new-incentives.html|archive-date=4 April 2021}}</ref>

Later in 2013, the [[Government of India]] identified Kurnool as one of the 50 locations for the development of low-cost airports, in order to improve connectivity to remote areas.<ref name="TOI2">{{cite news|last=Mukherjee|first=Sharmistha|date=5 July 2014|title=Centre to focus on low-cost airports along tourist circuits|work=Business Standard|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/centre-to-focus-on-low-cost-airports-along-tourist-circuits-114070300950_1.html|url-status=live|access-date=27 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007153750/https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/centre-to-focus-on-low-cost-airports-along-tourist-circuits-114070300950_1.html|archive-date=7 October 2019}}</ref>

=== Construction ===
The airport was originally planned to be constructed over {{Convert|639|acre|km2|abbr=on}}, of which {{Convert|456|acre|km2|abbr=on}} are in Pudicherla, {{Convert|115|acre|km2|abbr=on}} in [[Orvakal]] and {{Convert|67|acre|km2|abbr=on}} in Kannamadakala.<ref name="TH1">{{cite news|date=4 February 2017|title=639 acres alienated for Greenfield Airport in Kurnool district|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/639-acres-alienated-for-Greenfield-airport-in-Kurnool-district/article17186556.ece|url-status=live|access-date=27 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211201058/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/639-acres-alienated-for-Greenfield-airport-in-Kurnool-district/article17186556.ece|archive-date=11 February 2020}}</ref> The [[Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)|Ministry of Civil Aviation]] gave the site clearance in February 2016.<ref name="TOI">{{cite news|title=Centre gives nod for Nellore, Kurnool airport sites. |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Centre-gives-nod-for-Nellore-Kurnool-airport-sites/articleshow/50827493.cms |work=[[The Times of India]] |date= 3 February 2016 |access-date= 6 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216013655/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Centre-gives-nod-for-Nellore-Kurnool-airport-sites/articleshow/50827493.cms |archive-date=16 February 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The state government approved the allocation of land in February 2017.<ref name="TH1" /> The final construction was done in {{Convert|1008|acre|km2|abbr=on}} at a cost of {{INRConvert|153|c|year=2021}}.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Bandari|first=Pavan Kumar|date=25 March 2021|title=Andhra Pradesh: Orvakal Airport launched and named as Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy airport|work=The Hans India|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/andhra-pradesh-orvakal-airport-launched-and-named-as-uyyalawada-narasimha-reddy-airport-678544|url-status=live|access-date=27 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325085612/https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/andhra-pradesh-orvakal-airport-launched-and-named-as-uyyalawada-narasimha-reddy-airport-678544|archive-date=25 March 2021}}</ref>

The [[Cornerstone|foundation stone]] was laid in June 2017 by the then [[List of chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh|Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh]], [[N. Chandrababu Naidu]]. After trial runs were successfully conducted at the end of 2018,<ref>{{Cite news|date=31 December 2018|title=Trial run successful for Kurnool airport|work=Business Line|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/trial-run-successful-for-kurnool-airport/article25871842.ece|url-status=live|access-date=30 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227135916/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/trial-run-successful-for-kurnool-airport/article25871842.ece|archive-date=27 December 2019}}</ref> he inaugurated the airport on 8 January 2019.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Raghavan|first=Sandeep|date=16 January 2021|title=Andhra Pradesh: Kurnool airport gets aerodrome license from DGCA|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amaravati/andhra-pradesh-kurnool-airport-gets-aerodrome-license-from-dgca/articleshow/80302237.cms|url-status=live|access-date=27 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122005917/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amaravati/andhra-pradesh-kurnool-airport-gets-aerodrome-license-from-dgca/articleshow/80302237.cms|archive-date=22 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=9 January 2019|title=Tourism boost for A.P. as Kurnool gets new airport|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/tourism-boost-for-ap-as-kurnool-gets-new-airport/article25947882.ece|url-status=live|access-date=8 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108001213/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/tourism-boost-for-ap-as-kurnool-gets-new-airport/article25947882.ece|archive-date=8 November 2020}}</ref> At this time, the runway and terminal buildings were constructed, however, works related to the [[Air Traffic Control]] (ATC) tower was not completed.<ref>{{Cite news|date=21 March 2021|title=First flight to land at Orvakal airport on March 28|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/first-flight-to-land-at-orvakal-airport-on-march-28/article34120502.ece|url-status=live|access-date=8 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210403184125/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/first-flight-to-land-at-orvakal-airport-on-march-28/article34120502.ece|archive-date=3 April 2021}}</ref> Two years later, on 15 January 2021, the [[Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India)]] (DGCA) granted the license to the airport for public use. Later, on 27 January, the [[Bureau of Civil Aviation Security]] (BCAS) granted security clearance.<ref name=":0" />

On 25 March 2021, the airport was re-inaugurated by the current Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, [[Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy]]. He also named the airport as ''Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy Airport'', commemorating the prominent [[List of Indian independence activists|freedom fighter]], [[Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy]], who originated from [[Kurnool district]] during the 19th century.<ref name=":0" /> The government also started discussion for a pilot training institute and an aircraft repair centre.<ref name=":1" /> On 28 March 2021, commercial operations began with a ceremonial [[IndiGo]] flight from [[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]].<ref name=":2" />

==Facilities==
The airport has a passenger terminal, an ATC tower, a {{Convert|2000|m|ft|abbr=off|adj=on}} runway, with an apron for parking of four aircraft, among other ancillary facilities, like the fire station. It has been categorized as '3C' category airport, and is capable of handling [[turboprop]] aircraft like [[ATR 72|ATR-72]] and [[Bombardier Q400|Bombardier Q-400]].<ref name="KA Ref1">{{cite news |title=CM Jagan to inaugurate Kurnool airport on Thursday |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2021/mar/25/cm-jagan-to-inaugurate-kurnool-airport-on-thursday-2281323.html |access-date=5 July 2021 |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=25 March 2021}}</ref>

==Airlines and destinations==

{{Airport destination list

|[[IndiGo]]|[[Kempegowda International Airport|Bangalore]], [[Chennai International Airport|Chennai]], [[Visakhapatnam Airport|Visakhapatnam]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/indigo-flights-from-kurnool-to-begin-on-march-28/article33702271.ece|title=IndiGo flights from Kurnool to begin on March 28|work=The Hindu|date=30 January 2021 |access-date=30 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302181953/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/indigo-flights-from-kurnool-to-begin-on-march-28/article33702271.ece|archive-date=2 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

== Statistics ==
{{Airport-Statistics|iata=KJB}}

== Access ==
The airport is located directly on [[National Highway 40 (India)|National Highway 40]] connecting Kurnool and Nandyal. There are no railway lines connecting the airport.

== See also ==

* [[Aviation in India]]
* [[List of airports in India|List of Airports in India]]

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{Airports in India|state=collapsed}}
{{Kurnool district}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Airports in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Transport in Kurnool district]]
[[Category:2019 establishments in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Airports established in 2019]]

Kurnool Airport - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 17:05, 24 August 2023