Vizag bags 'Best Airport' award

Visakhapatnam: The local airport bagged the Best Airport Award, which was announced by Minister of State for Tourism K Chiranjeevi on Tuesday.A It is the second busiest airport in Andhra Pradesh after Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad. The airport is controlled by the Indian Navy, which carries out Air Traffic Control support for both military and civil traffic. In December 2012, the number of air travellers exceeded 1,00,000 for the first time. Reports suggested that the total number of passengers using the airport was 7,60,000, with peaks in May and December. Airport director K Srinivasa Rao said there had been a 13 per cent increase in the number of users compared to 2012. Visakhapatnam Airport now has 16 daily arrivals and departures each. The occupancy level of every flight connecting Visakhapatnam was said to be at least 95 per cent. A new terminal building was inaugurated on February 20, 2009. The first international service between Dubai and Vizag via Hyderabad started on March 12, 2012.A The direct flight to Singapore from the city was launched on October 19 last year. Air Asia and Thai Airways were likely to start their operations from the end of the year.