Good news for travellers across the Andhra Pradesh capital region. IndiGo has launched new flight services connecting Vijayawada with Varanasi and Kolkata, opening up easier travel for pilgrimage, business, education, medical, and tourism trips to two of India's most important cities in the north and east.
The services were launched on 14 August 2026 by Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu at a ceremony at Vijayawada International Airport, and the inaugural flights saw a strong passenger response. Better still, this is just the opening move in a much bigger plan for the airport. Here is everything you need to know, the timings, the route, and what is coming next.
The New Flights: Timings and Schedule
Here is the essential detail. The new connection is operated as a single linked route between the three cities, so it is worth understanding how it flows.
Inbound to Vijayawada (Flight 6E6501):
- Departs Kolkata at 2:10 PM
- Arrives Varanasi at 3:55 PM
- Arrives Vijayawada at 5:50 PM
Outbound from Vijayawada (Flight 6E6502):
- Departs Vijayawada at 6:20 PM
- Arrives Varanasi at 8:15 PM
- Arrives Kolkata at 10:15 PM
The service operates three days a week, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Because Varanasi sits in the middle of the routing, the flights conveniently connect Vijayawada to both Varanasi and Kolkata on the same service, giving the region two valuable new links at once.
The early demand tells its own story. On the inaugural day, 129 passengers departed Vijayawada for Varanasi and 89 arrived from Varanasi, a strong start that reflects real pent-up demand for these connections.
Why These Two Cities Matter So Much
These are not random additions. Both destinations serve deep, specific needs for people in Andhra Pradesh.
- Varanasi is one of Hinduism's holiest cities, a lifelong pilgrimage aspiration for many. Local representatives noted the new service fulfils a long-standing demand from residents, making the spiritual journey to Kashi far more accessible. It also opens up the wider spiritual circuit of the region.
- Kolkata is the great gateway to eastern India, a major hub for commerce, healthcare, education, and culture, and an onward connecting point for the entire Northeast. For business and medical travel in particular, a direct link matters.
As the local MP put it, the connectivity will help the people of Andhra Pradesh for spiritual, commercial, educational, medical, and tourism travel alike. For a fast-growing capital region, links like these are exactly what fuel opportunity.
The Bigger Picture: Vijayawada's Airport Is Going Places
The most exciting part of this announcement was not the two new flights, it was what the minister signalled is coming next. Vijayawada International Airport at Gannavaram is being groomed for a serious step up. Here is what is on the way.
More domestic routes soon. Minister Naidu confirmed that flights to Pune, Ahmedabad, and Cochin (Kochi) would be added soon. The Kochi link is particularly notable given demand from Sabarimala pilgrims, another example of connectivity built around the region's real travel patterns.
The international dream: Dubai. Local representatives strongly urged the launch of direct international flights to Dubai. The argument is compelling: a Dubai link would not just connect Andhra to the UAE, but open one-stop access to Africa, Europe, and the Americas through one of the world's biggest aviation hubs. Direct international service from Vijayawada would be a genuine game-changer for the region, though it remains a proposal for now rather than a confirmed route.
A clever hub-and-spoke plan. The minister announced plans to introduce hub-and-spoke operations, under which Vijayawada would act as a spoke feeding major international hub airports. The smart part: passengers would be able to complete customs and immigration formalities at Vijayawada itself before transferring to their connecting international flight at the hub. That would make international journeys dramatically smoother for travellers starting from Vijayawada.
A new terminal. Work is underway on a New Integrated Terminal Building designed to reflect local art and culture, aimed at boosting the airport's capacity and passenger experience. Officials have pushed for its completion at the earliest.
And even seaplanes. In a striking glimpse of the future, the minister said seaplane operations are planned for scenic and pilgrimage spots including Prakasam Barrage, Srisailam, Hussain Sagar, and Nagarjuna Sagar, a potential boost for regional tourism and short-hop connectivity.
A Region on the Rise
Put together, these developments paint a clear picture. Vijayawada, at the heart of the Andhra Pradesh capital region, is being positioned as an increasingly important aviation hub. The airport has been one of the state's busiest, and with a new terminal, expanding domestic routes, international ambitions, and innovative ideas like customs-at-origin and seaplanes, it is being set up to support the region's growth in tourism, trade, and investment for years to come.
For residents, it means the world is steadily getting easier to reach from home. And each new route, like these Varanasi and Kolkata services, is a concrete step in that direction.
Book the New Routes
The new services are live now. If you are planning a trip, you can compare fares and book Vijayawada to Varanasi flights and Vijayawada to Kolkata flights across all airlines in one place. Whether it is a pilgrimage to Kashi, a business trip to the east, or onward travel from either hub, it is worth comparing dates to find the best fare.
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Flight timings, frequencies, and future route plans are subject to change and official confirmation. Always verify current schedules before booking.
