Andhra Pradesh’s long-awaited greenfield airport at Bhogapuram is on track to begin commercial operations by June 2026, following the successful conduct of its first validation flight on January 4. The facility, officially named Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) International Airport, is scheduled to be formally inaugurated on June 26 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Situated about 44 km from Visakhapatnam and 23 km from Vizianagaram, the airport is being developed as the primary aviation gateway for North Andhra Pradesh, significantly strengthening regional and international air connectivity.
The inaugural validation flight was operated by Air India and carried Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu along with senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The aircraft was accorded a traditional water cannon salute on arrival, marking a key milestone in the airport’s readiness for commercial services.
Speaking to the media, Ram Mohan Naidu highlighted the pace of execution under the National Democratic Alliance government, noting that the project had progressed from about 23% completion to nearly 96% in record time.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu welcomed the successful validation flight in a post on X, describing the Bhogapuram airport as a transformative project for the region. He thanked the Prime Minister for expediting the development over the past 18 months and said the airport would be a major catalyst for economic growth and connectivity in North Andhra districts.
Developed and operated by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited, the facility is being positioned not just as a passenger airport but as a comprehensive aviation hub. According to the Civil Aviation Minister, plans include the development of an aerospace ecosystem encompassing Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, aviation training and education, and allied services.
The airport will also benefit from Visakhapatnam’s inclusion under India’s open skies policy, allowing an unrestricted number of international flights. Authorities expect strong interest from overseas carriers, supported by the advanced infrastructure and global standards being implemented at the new airport.
Once operational, ASR International Airport will replace the existing civilian operations at Visakhapatnam airport, which currently functions as a civilian enclave within the Indian Navy’s INS Dega air base. All civilian passenger and cargo services will be shifted to Bhogapuram, enabling the Navy to expand and modernise its naval aviation facilities at INS Dega.
Named after freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju, who led the historic Rampa rebellion against British rule in the early 1920s, the Bhogapuram International Airport is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the economic and aviation landscape of Andhra Pradesh in the years ahead.
