India’s Vijayawada Airport has started construction on its new integrated terminal building.
The first foundation stone was laid on the same day as the first international flight left from Vijayawada, with an end destination of Singapore.
The new building will span 35,000m² (376,700ft²) and is being developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at the cost of 611 million crores (US$86m). The terminal will consist of a steel and glass structure with state-of-the-art passenger friendly facilities and the peak hour handling capacity of 1,200 passengers. It will also feature 24 check-in counters and will be equipped with modern, passenger-friendly facilities.
Inspired by the rural-urban blend of Vijayawada’s culture, the exteriors and interiors of the airport have been designed to create a unique gateway to the region. The local environment and cultural references, as well as the historical art and architecture of the region, will be interpreted to add grandeur to the building.
Vijayawada is a commercial city in the district of Andhra Pradesh and the second largest after Visakhapatnam. The city is also popularly known by its historic name, Bezwada.