People from the Visakhapatnam region living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are in a jubilant mood with the announcement of a direct flight to Visakhapatnam from Dubai via Hyderabad, according to Sarat of Sharjah-based All Andhra Association of UAE.

At a media conference organised by the Air Travellers Association of India (ATA-I) here on Saturday, he said there were 2.5 lakh Telugus residing in Dubai, of whom 30 per cent were from the Visakhapatnam region. They had been representing to the Government of India for a long time seeking introduction of a direct flight to Visakhapatnam.

Holiday season

The association has been spreading the message of international connectivity through Facebook and has got 5,000 responses so far.

Mr. Sarat said that April being the holiday season, there would be a huge demand for direct flights from Visakhapatnam to Dubai and back. The direct flight would be advantageous to all sections of people living in the UAE, as Air India was also planning to provide transportation to other cities.

Sriram Ravichander, vice-president (logistics) of ATA (I), described the Dubai flight as the first step in the direction of providing international connectivity to Visakhapatnam. The ATA (I) would prepare a roadmap for getting more flights to international destinations such as Singapore, Malaysia, and the U.S. He recalled the efforts made by Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development D. Purandeswari and Rajya Sahba Member T. Subbarami Reddy in getting the direct flight.

Export potential

Capt. Ravichander said every flight could carry four tonnes of cargo and help in boosting exports.

ATA (I) president D. Varada Reddy said it was unfortunate that it took 10 years to get an international flight after the Government of India had declared way back in 2002 that Visakhapatnam could serve as a ‘Gateway to the East’ under the ‘Look East Policy’ due to its proximity to countries in the east.

ATA (I) secretary-general Rajgopal Reddy spoke.