**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to an Unstarred Question in Lok Sabha, set to be answered on December 4th, 2025, regarding the upgradation of Tier-II airports. The question was posed by DR. D. PURANDESWARI, and the Minister of Civil Aviation provides answers concerning the national policy for airport upgrades, the status of airports in Andhra Pradesh, and specifically the Rajahmundry Airport. The response clarifies the factors considered for international airport declarations and the current expansion status of Rajahmundry Airport.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **International Airport Declaration Policy:**
* Declaration depends on traffic potential, State Government or airline demand for international flights, and bilateral Air Services Agreements.
* Infrastructure requirements, including ground lighting, instrument landing systems, runway length, and quarantine services, are also considered.
* **Airports in Andhra Pradesh Operating International Flights:**
* International flights currently operate at Vijayawada and Vishakhapatnam Airports.
* **Rajahmundry Airport Expansion:**
* The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has undertaken the construction of a New Terminal Building with an area of 18,128 sqm.
* The airport runway has been extended to 3165m x 45m by AAI in 2018.
* **Rajahmundry Airport Status & International Status:**
* Rajahmundry Airport is currently a domestic airport operated by the Airports Authority of India.
* No proposal to declare Rajahmundry Airport as an International Airport is currently under consideration by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Government of Andhra Pradesh**
* **Impact:** The response provides an update on the status of airports in the state, specifically regarding international flight operations and expansion projects.
* **Action Required:** None explicitly stated in the document.
**Stakeholder: Airports Authority of India (AAI)**
* **Impact:** AAI's role in the expansion of Rajahmundry Airport is highlighted.
* **Action Required:** Continue with the ongoing construction project at Rajahmundry Airport.
**Stakeholder: Residents/Businesses near Rajahmundry Airport**
* **Impact:** The response outlines the airport's domestic status and the lack of current proposal for International Airport status.
* **Action Required:** There is no explicit action in the document, but those wanting an upgrade may want to put forward a proposal that meets the requirements in the document.
**Stakeholder: Potential Airlines/Air Traffic**
* **Impact:** Airlines and other air traffic interested in the use of Rajahmundry International Airport are impacted.
* **Action Required:** The airlines and other air traffic interested would need to make the necessary applications for international status.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation of national policies and programmes for the development and regulation of the civil aviation sector.
Airports Authority of India: An organization responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure in India.
Rajahmundry Airport: A domestic airport in Andhra Pradesh, under consideration for being declared an International Airport.
Andhra Pradesh: The Indian state where Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam, and Rajahmundry Airports are located and affected by the policy.
Air Services Agreements: Bilateral agreements that affect whether an airport can become an International Airport
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 850
th
(To be answered on the 4 December 2025)
UPGRADATION OF TIER-II AIRPORTS
850. DR. D. PURANDESWARI
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) the national policy for the upgradation of Tier-II airports to international status
along with the criteria set for the said proposal;
(b) the number of airports in Andhra Pradesh that are currently operating
international flights;
(c) the current status of the Rajahmundry Airport expansion including the new
terminal building, runway extension and land acquisition;
(d) whether the Government has received any proposals to grant international or
customs airport status to Rajahmundry in view of the presence of major PSUs such
as ONGC and GAIL and a large diaspora in Gulf countries and if so, the details
thereof; and
(e) the steps being taken by the Government to start direct flights to the Middle
East or Southeast Asia from Rajahmundry to boost the regional economy?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a): Declaration of an airport as an International airport depends upon traffic
potential, demand from the State Government or airlines for the operation of
international flights, and bilateral Air Services Agreements. Additionally,
infrastructure requirements such as Ground Lighting facilities, Instrument Landing
System, runway length, Immigration, Health and Animal & Plant Quarantine
services etc. are also taken into consideration.(b): Presently, international flights are operational at Vijayawada and
Vishakhapatnam Airports in the State of Andhra Pradesh.
(c): For expansion of Rajahmundry Airport, the Airports Authority of India has
undertaken the construction of a New Terminal Building with an additional area of
18,128 sqm. The airport runway has already been extended to 3165m x 45m by AAI
in 2018.
(d) & (e): Rajahmundry Airport is a domestic airport of the Airports Authority of
India. Currently, no such proposal for declaration of Rajahmundry Airport as an
International Airport is under consideration in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
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