Temple Town Tirupati to have international airport soon

Hyderabad: Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans upgrading the Tirupati airport facility into an international airport with modern amenities.

The state government today issued orders to hand over 702 acres of land, abutting the existing airport at Tirupati, for free to the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

The AAI board has already accorded approval to undertake Phase 1 development of the airport to facilitate international operations to this temple town.

A new integrated terminal building complex with all modern amenities and facilities, including two aero bridges capable of handling 700 domestic and international passengers, will be built in the first phase.

In addition, the authority proposes to extend the runway to 3,270 metre from the present 2,286 metre. AAI would be spending an estimated Rs 300 crore on all these works, which are expected to be taken up simultaneously immediately after getting the land.

The state government has also sanctioned Rs 100 crore to the district administration towards acquisition of the said land.