Kurnool Airport Template:Airport codes, also known as Orvakal Airport and officially known as Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy Airport,[1] is a domestic airport serving the city of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located at Orvakal, situated on National Highway 40, about Template:Cvt from Kurnool and Template:Cvt from Nandyal.[2] The airport covers an area of Template:Convert, and has been built at a cost of Template:INRConvert as a low-cost airport to improve connectivity to remote areas. It began commercial operations on 28 March 2021.[3] It has been named after Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, who was a prominent freedom fighter in the 19th century.[1]
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 Template:INRConvert. The airports were to be built in Template:Convert with a runway length of Template:Convert. The construction of this airport was chosen, because Kurnool has a large paper mill producing 300 tonnes of paper every day.[4]
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 Template:Convert. 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.[5]
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.[6]
Construction
The airport was originally planned to be constructed over Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert are in Pudicherla, Template:Convert in Orvakal and Template:Convert in Kannamadakala.[7] The Ministry of Civil Aviation gave the site clearance in February 2016.[8] The state government approved the allocation of land in February 2017.[7] The final construction was done in Template:Convert at a cost of Template:INRConvert.[9]
The foundation stone was laid in June 2017 by the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu. After trial runs were successfully conducted at the end of 2018,[10] he inaugurated the airport on 8 January 2019.[11][12] At this time, the runway and terminal buildings were constructed, however, works related to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower was not completed.[13] 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.[9]
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 freedom fighter, Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, who originated from Kurnool district during the 19th century.[9] The government also started discussion for a pilot training institute and an aircraft repair centre.[11] On 28 March 2021, commercial operations began with a ceremonial IndiGo flight from Bangalore.[3]
Facilities
The airport has a passenger terminal, an ATC tower, a Template:Convert 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 and Bombardier Q-400.[14]
Airlines and destinations
Template:Airport destination list
Statistics
Access
The airport is located directly on National Highway 40 connecting Kurnool and Nandyal. There are no railway lines connecting the airport.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Kurnool airport named after freedom fighter Narasimha Reddy. The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ↑ Pre-feasibility Report. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Kurnool airport opens, to house south India's biggest industrial park. Deccan Chronicle(29 March 2021). Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ↑ Andhra plans 8 small airports. Rediff India Abroad(19 January 2008). Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ↑ Andhra to invite bids for 4 airports with new incentives. Mint(2 October 2009). Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ↑ Centre to focus on low-cost airports along tourist circuits. Business Standard(5 July 2014). Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 639 acres alienated for Greenfield Airport in Kurnool district. The Hindu(4 February 2017). Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ↑ Centre gives nod for Nellore, Kurnool airport sites.. The Times of India(3 February 2016). Retrieved 6 February 2017.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Andhra Pradesh: Orvakal Airport launched and named as Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy airport. The Hans India(25 March 2021). Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ↑ Trial run successful for Kurnool airport. Business Line(31 December 2018). Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Andhra Pradesh: Kurnool airport gets aerodrome license from DGCA. The Times of India(16 January 2021). Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ↑ Tourism boost for A.P. as Kurnool gets new airport. The Hindu(9 January 2019). Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ↑ First flight to land at Orvakal airport on March 28. The Hindu(21 March 2021). Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ↑ CM Jagan to inaugurate Kurnool airport on Thursday(25 March 2021). Retrieved 5 July 2021.
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