The state of Andhra Pradesh in India's southeast has signalled its intention to develop an international airline for its new capital city Amaravati, which is currently under construction. PTI news reports that the new airline is likely to be named after the city - Amaravathi Airlines (Vijayawada).
An act of the Indian Parliament bifurcated the state in 2014 to create two separate states: Telangana in the northwest, and the residuary Andhra Pradesh in the southeast. Hyderabad remains the capital of both states until Andhra Pradesh completes the construction of its own capital. The majority of the state government has moved its facilities to the new city, and the legislature commenced sessions just this week.
"When Amaravati is developed, the government may like to have its own international airport and airline depending upon the requirement at that particular time," a government official told PTI.
The closest airport to the city is Vijayawada, 60km to the east, which has a weekly capacity of just over 10,000 passengers. The major carriers operating out of Vijayawada are SpiceJet (SG, Delhi International) and Air India (AI, Delhi International). The airport was recently redeveloped to accommodate increased capacity as a result of the new government centre, and this will remain the interim facility until an international terminal is completed. The other major airport in the state is Vishakhapatnam, 290km to the northeast, with additional smaller facilities at Kadapa, Rajahmundry, and Tirupati.
