MP Sribharat seeks morning Tirupati flight, UDAAN café, and better facilities at Visakhapatnam International airport

The need for a morning flight from Visakhapatnam to Tirupati and better passenger facilities at the airport were the main issues discussed at the second Airport Advisory Committee (AAC) meeting held here on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by Member of Parliament Mathukumilli Sribharat and attended by Airport Director Purushottam, Government Whip and MLA Ganababu, Navy officials, representatives of various departments, and AAC members.

Mr. Sribharat said that many pilgrims from Visakhapatnam are missing out on Sree Vani darshan tickets at Tirupati, as they are issued only in the early hours. “Pilgrims from our region are facing great difficulty, and an early morning service is an immediate necessity,” he said, urging airlines to begin the service without delay.

The committee also supported the proposal for an UDAAN Yatri Café at Visakhapatnam Airport. Members noted that the current food outlets are too costly for most travelers. The MP said affordable cafés under the UDAAN scheme are already operating in Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Pune, and that Vizag passengers should also benefit from such a facility.

International connectivity was another focus. Mr. Sribharat pressed for direct services linking Vizag with Malaysia and Colombo. He said these routes would not only serve business travelers and tourists but also help Visakhapatnam grow as an important hub for regional air travel.

Passenger amenities came under review as well. The MP expressed displeasure over the poor upkeep of airport washrooms and called for immediate improvements. He also pointed to frequent technical issues with X-ray baggage scanners that cause delays. Mr. Sribharat assured members that he would take up all these concerns with the Ministry of Civil Aviation for early action.