Vijayawada, Jan 22: Now even Airbus and Boeings can have a smooth landing on the runway of Gannavaram airport. The first phase of development works taken up at a cost of Rs 42 crore have been completed.In view of the increasing passenger rush, the airport officials have decided to increase the number of flights. The state goverment after consulting the Airport Authority of India has decided to develop the airport and released Rs 42 crore for the first phase works.
Besides strengthening the existing 1743-metre runway, it has extended it by 720-metre X 45-metre to facilitate landing of bigger flights like Airbus and Boeings.An appron of 244m X120m dimension was constructed to facilitate night halting facility besides preparing 220m long taxiway. Earlier, rain water used to enter the airport from Yerracheruvu. Birds used to scamper for food on shallow rain waters.
Water also entered the airport causing disruption of flights. Now, a 250-metre drain has been built to prevent water from enetering the airport. Passengers seek more services as the faicilities have been improved. They want flight services to Tirupati, Visakhaptnam, Madras, Kolkata, Mumbai apart from the exisiting Hyderabad and Bangalore increased.