During a recent Airport Advisory Committee meeting, concerns were raised over the limited slot allocations between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. The committee expressed that only one flight is permitted to take off and land between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. and between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. This restriction is having a negative impact on the airport's economic growth.
The meeting also noted that air cargo operations have been halted for outgoing cargo due to personnel shortages and pending approvals. Previously, the airport had moved 150 tonnes of air cargo, including emergency cargo like blood samples. As a result, no air cargo is currently being moved out of Vizag.
Furthermore, the committee observed that although Visakhapatnam ranks ninth in GDP contribution, the airport is ranked only 19th in the country. The committee requested the airport director to take necessary steps to improve conditions and move the airport into the top ten slots in the country.
