The airline intends to use nine-seater aircraft with ticket prices ranging from Rs. 2,500 to 3,500 per person

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

In a bid to connect smaller cities and towns, the Andhra Pradesh, the Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Limited (APADCL) has announced plans to introduce 9-seater aircraft on selected routes.

The ticket prices would be affordable, the time taken to travel from one place to another in less than an hour to some locations and most importantly, tourists from countries like China and Bhutan, along with domestic visitors, will find it easier to access other Buddhist heritage locations such as Ghantasala and Jaggayyapeta. Similarly, the Puttaparthi airport is poised to serve devotees traveling to the Sathya Sai Baba Ashram, a popular spiritual destination.

The selected routes, include Puttaparthi and Nagarjuna Sagar airports. This initiative is part of the state government’s efforts under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) to connect smaller cities and towns and is set to undergo public consultation soon.

An official from APADCL emphasized the need for smaller aircraft to cater to underserved regions in the state. “Currently, the smallest commercial aircrafts available in India, such as Jet Airways or Air India’s 48-seater models, operate only in northern and eastern regions.

These aircraft are absent in the south and west, making regional connectivity a challenge. The next size available is the 72-seater ATR, which is not commercially viable for smaller cities in Andhra Pradesh. To address this gap, we are exploring the use of nine-seater aircraft,” the official explained.

These smaller aircraft, often used for charter services, offer a practical solution for routes where passenger traffic is limited but critical for economic and social development. The proposed routes fall under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) model, where subsidies are provided to make such operations financially sustainable. Discussions are underway to finalize the funding model, with a cap likely to be placed on subsidies per flying hour.

One of the major contenders for operating these regional services is Supreme Airlines, which plans to connect Vijayawada with key cities like Visakhapatnam, Kadapa, and Tirupati. The airline intends to use nine-seater aircraft with ticket prices ranging from Rs.2,500 to Rs.3,500 per person.

Amit Agarwal, Chairman of Supreme Airlines, confirmed ongoing discussions with the state government under the VGF scheme. “We are in talks with APADCL and plan to establish airport counters soon to commence operations from Vijayawada,” he stated.

The Puttaparthi and Nagarjuna Sagar airports are currently equipped with only basic airstrips. Earlier plans to develop these facilities have remained in the proposal stage. The revival of these airports is expected to bring significant benefits to tourism and local communities.

Under the proposed plan, flights are expected to operate on a one-hour schedule, minimizing travel time while maximizing convenience. The state government is optimistic that this initiative will bridge the connectivity gap in smaller cities, promote tourism, and foster economic growth.