Flight Services Shrinking at Visakhapatnam Airport Despite Rising Passenger Demand!

Visakhapatnam is witnessing rapid growth as an IT, industrial, and commercial hub, leading to a steady rise in passenger traffic to and from the city. However, instead of expanding air connectivity in line with demand, flight services from Visakhapatnam International Airport have been gradually declining. Services to Pune, Goa, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok have already been withdrawn, and the Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram) flight is also set to be discontinued soon. City residents have urged Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu to intervene and ensure restoration of these crucial routes keeping future requirements in mind.

Air India Express has been operating direct flights between Visakhapatnam and Port Blair for nearly 13 years, with two weekly services on Tuesdays and Thursdays. As per the recently announced summer schedule, these services are likely to be suspended, with tickets unavailable on the airline’s website from May onwards. Similarly, flight connectivity to Mumbai has reduced significantly. While two daily services earlier operated between Visakhapatnam and Mumbai, only one flight is currently available despite passenger numbers exceeding those of the Vijayawada–Mumbai route, which continues to operate two services. Notably, earlier routes to Goa and Pune recorded seat occupancy of 80–90 percent before being suspended in January and October 2024 respectively, raising concerns over the continued reduction of flights despite strong demand.