Wikipedia

Kurnool Airport

Kurnool Airport (IATA: KJB, ICAO: VOKU), also known as Orvakal Airport and officially known as Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy Airport,[6] is a domestic airport serving the city of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located at Orvakal, situated on National Highway 40, about 18 km (11 mi) from Kurnool and 54 km (34 mi) from Nandyal.[7] The airport covers an area of 1,008 acres (4.08 km2), and has been built at a cost of ₹153 crore (equivalent to ₹172 crore or US$21 million in 2023) as a low-cost airport to improve connectivity to remote areas. It began commercial operations on 28 March 2021.[1] It has been named after Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, who was a prominent freedom fighter in the 19th century.[6]

Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerAndhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Limited (APADCL)
ServesKurnool
LocationOrvakal, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, India
Opened28 March 2021; 3 years ago (2021-03-28)[1]
Time zoneIndian Standard Time (+5:30)
Elevation AMSL1,129 ft / 344.11 m
Coordinates15°42′22″N 78°09′39″E / 15.70611°N 78.16083°E / 15.70611; 78.16083
WebsiteOfficial website
Map
KJB is located in Andhra Pradesh
KJB
KJB
Location of airport in Andhra Pradesh
KJB is located in India
KJB
KJB
KJB (India)
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
10/28[2] 6,562 2,000 Asphalt
Statistics (April 2023 - March 2024)
Passengers39,746 (Increase 2.9%)
Aircraft movements1,311 (Decrease 7.2%)
Cargo tonnage—
Source: AAI[3][4][5]

History

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Planning

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In 2008, the Government of Andhra Pradesh invited for expressions of interest to develop eight minor airports in the state, including an airport at Kurnool. Each airport was expected to cost ₹50 crore (equivalent to ₹139 crore or US$17 million in 2023). The airports were to be built in 500–600 acres (2.0–2.4 km2) with a runway length of 6,000 feet (1,800 m). The construction of this airport was chosen, because Kurnool has a large paper mill producing 300 tonnes of paper every day.[8]

In July 2009, the government scrapped the plans as no companies posted bids for the construction of the airport. The companies sought the construction to be infeasible due to low expectations of revenues. In October 2009, the government planned to invite fresh bids for 4 airports including Kurnool Airport, to be constructed in 500 acres (2.0 km2). The government offered additional incentives including exemption from value-added taxes and waiver of lease rentals for the first seven years, once the airport is operational.[9]

Later in 2013, the Government of India identified Kurnool as one of the 50 locations for the development of low-cost airports, in order to improve connectivity to remote areas.[10]

Construction

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The airport was originally planned to be constructed over 639 acres (2.59 km2), of which 456 acres (1.85 km2) are in Pudicherla, 115 acres (0.47 km2) in Orvakal and 67 acres (0.27 km2) in Kannamadakala.[11] The Ministry of Civil Aviation gave the site clearance in February 2016.[12] The state government approved the allocation of land in February 2017.[11] The final construction was done in 1,008 acres (4.08 km2) at a cost of ₹153 crore (equivalent to ₹172 crore or US$21 million in 2023).[13]

The foundation stone was laid in June 2017 by the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu. After trial runs were successfully conducted at the end of 2018,[14] he inaugurated the airport on 8 January 2019.[15][16] At this time, the runway and terminal buildings were constructed, however, works related to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower was not completed.[17] Two years later, on 15 January 2021, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (India) (DGCA) granted the license to the airport for public use. Later, on 27 January, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) granted security clearance.[13]

On 25 March 2021, the airport was re-inaugurated by the current Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. He also named the airport as Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy Airport, commemorating the prominent freedom fighter, Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, who originated from Kurnool district during the 19th century.[13] The government also started discussion for a pilot training institute and an aircraft repair centre.[15] On 28 March 2021, commercial operations began with a ceremonial IndiGo flight from Bangalore.[1]

Facilities

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The airport has a passenger terminal, an ATC tower, a 2,000-metre (6,600-foot) runway, with an apron for parking of four aircraft, among other ancillary facilities, like the fire station. It has been categorized as '3C' category airport, and is capable of handling turboprop aircraft like ATR-72 and Bombardier Q-400.[18]

Airlines and destinations

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AirlinesDestinations
IndiGoBangalore, Chennai, Visakhapatnam[19]

Statistics

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Annual passenger traffic at KJB airport. See Wikidata query.

Access

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The airport is located directly on National Highway 40 connecting Kurnool and Nandyal. There are no railway lines connecting the airport.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Kurnool airport opens, to house south India's biggest industrial park". Deccan Chronicle. 29 March 2021. Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  2. ^ "S.I.T.C. of Night Landing Facilities at Kurnool Airport in Andhra Pradesh" (PDF). Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Limited. p. 8. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 January 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  3. ^ "Annexure III – Passenger Data" (PDF). aai.aero. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Annexure II – Aircraft Movement Data" (PDF). aai.aero. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Annexure IV – Freight Movement Data" (PDF). aai.aero. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Kurnool airport named after freedom fighter Narasimha Reddy". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 26 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Pre-feasibility Report" (PDF). Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  8. ^ Chowdhury, Anirban (19 January 2008). "Andhra plans 8 small airports". Rediff India Abroad. Archived from the original on 3 May 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  9. ^ "Andhra to invite bids for 4 airports with new incentives". Mint. 2 October 2009. Archived from the original on 4 April 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  10. ^ Mukherjee, Sharmistha (5 July 2014). "Centre to focus on low-cost airports along tourist circuits". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 7 October 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  11. ^ a b "639 acres alienated for Greenfield Airport in Kurnool district". The Hindu. 4 February 2017. Archived from the original on 11 February 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  12. ^ "Centre gives nod for Nellore, Kurnool airport sites". The Times of India. 3 February 2016. Archived from the original on 16 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  13. ^ a b c Bandari, Pavan Kumar (25 March 2021). "Andhra Pradesh: Orvakal Airport launched and named as Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy airport". The Hans India. Archived from the original on 25 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  14. ^ "Trial run successful for Kurnool airport". Business Line. 31 December 2018. Archived from the original on 27 December 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  15. ^ a b Raghavan, Sandeep (16 January 2021). "Andhra Pradesh: Kurnool airport gets aerodrome license from DGCA". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  16. ^ "Tourism boost for A.P. as Kurnool gets new airport". The Hindu. 9 January 2019. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  17. ^ "First flight to land at Orvakal airport on March 28". The Hindu. 21 March 2021. Archived from the original on 3 April 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  18. ^ "CM Jagan to inaugurate Kurnool airport on Thursday". The New Indian Express. 25 March 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  19. ^ "IndiGo flights from Kurnool to begin on March 28". The Hindu. 30 January 2021. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
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