Vijayawada Airport’s ₹90Cr Tower Awaits Final Green Light

Following the successful completion of a 30-day trial run, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has approached the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for approval to commence full-scale operations from the newly constructed Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower at Vijayawada Airport.

Built at a cost of ₹90 crore, the new ATC tower is designed to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen air traffic management capabilities at the airport. Over the past month, authorities conducted parallel operations from both the existing and new towers to ensure a smooth transition and validate real-time air traffic systems.

Officials confirmed that the trial phase was completed without any disruptions. Vijayawada Airport ATC Assistant General Manager Vamsi Krishna stated that live air traffic management had been successfully carried out from the new facility throughout the trial period, and a formal request has now been submitted to the DGCA for operational clearance.

A DGCA team is expected to conduct an on-site inspection before granting final approval. The transition to the new tower is anticipated within the next two months, subject to regulatory clearance and compliance verification.

Construction of the ATC tower, along with a G+2 operational building, began in 2023 and was completed in approximately two and a half years. The upgrade marks a significant step toward enhancing the airport’s infrastructure and its capacity to manage growing air traffic demand.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.