Tirupati: Tirupati International Airport has received a major boost towards becoming a gateway for overseas travellers after the Union Home Ministry authorised it as an entry point for foreign nationals holding valid Indian e-Visas. However, the airport is still waiting for regular international flights.

New facility opens doors for foreign pilgrims

The latest notification also added Bhopal airport to India’s e-Visa entry network, taking the total number of designated e-Visa entry points to 88, including airports, seaports and land ports.

The move could particularly benefit overseas devotees travelling to Tirumala. Foreign pilgrims with valid e-Visas can now use Tirupati as their authorised Indian entry point, provided an international flight is available.

Until now, many overseas visitors had to fly into international gateways such as Chennai, Bengaluru or Hyderabad before continuing their journey to Tirupati.

International flights remain the missing link

Despite the new immigration facility, Tirupati airport does not yet have a scheduled international service. Tirupati MP Dr Maddila Gurumurthy said discussions were underway with airlines, including IndiGo and Air India Express, to explore international operations.

Airlines, however, have sought viability gap funding to support the initial phase of such services.

The airport has already undergone major infrastructure improvements. Its runway was extended from 2,286 metres to 3,810 metres, allowing it to handle larger Code E aircraft. It handled nearly 10 lakh passengers during 2024-25.

Tirupati also handled an international charter flight from Singapore in December 2024, but the service did not develop into a regular commercial route.

Regular connectivity to Gulf destinations such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi remains a long-standing demand, particularly among the region’s large workforce travelling for employment.

The latest e-Visa approval therefore marks an important step, but the real test will be whether airlines now connect Tirupati directly with international destinations.