VIZINAGARAM: The first commercial validation flight successfully landed at the Alluri Sitarama Raju (Bhogapuram) Greenfield International Airport in Vizianagaram district at 11 am on Sunday, marking a major milestone towards the airport’s operational readiness. Air India Airbus A320 aircraft (AI 3198) arrived from New Delhi as part of trial operations.
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu, Vizianagaram MP Kalisetti Appala Naidu, and senior officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and GMR Group were on board the flight.
Developed by the GMR Group with Larsen & Toubro executing the civil works, the airport is named after freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju. Designed for round-the-clock operations, the facility will handle both domestic and international flights. Nearly 96% of construction work has been completed, and the successful landing marked the completion of the commercial flight validation process.
In its first phase, the airport terminal is designed to handle six million passengers annually, with scope for expansion to 18 million passengers per year. The terminal can process around 2,500 passengers per hour, and will feature over 10 aerobridges. Paperless passenger processing using facial recognition technology is also planned.
A 3.8 km-long runway has been built to accommodate wide-body aircraft, including Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8. The first phase involves an estimated investment of Rs 4,592 crore, with sustainability measures such as solar power generation and rainwater harvesting incorporated.
PM will inaugurate Bogapuram Airport in 4-5 months: Ram Mohan
The airport is targeting LEED Gold certification, and the concessionaire will operate and maintain the facility for 40 years.
“The pilot’s announcement on the flight - ‘Welcome to Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport’ - was a deeply emotional moment. I see this as a collective achievement of the people of North Andhra. In four to five months, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to officially inaugurate the airport,” Ram Mohan Naidu said, while addressing a gathering after the landing.
The Union Minister recalled that the project received in-principle approval in 2016 during the tenure of the then Civil Aviation Minister Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, and the project had gained momentum over the past 18 months through regular reviews.
Though initially targeted for completion by December 2026, works are now expected to be completed nearly six months ahead of schedule.
He said the airport would significantly enhance tourism, trade, cargo movement, and employment opportunities across Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam regions, while improving air connectivity to parts of Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
“To ensure seamless access, multiple road connectivity projects are under way, including a trumpet interchange on National Highway-16, flyovers, and highway upgrades. A coastal corridor linking Visakhapatnam, Bheemili and Bhogapuram is also planned.
In addition, proposals are in place for developing MRO facilities, aero industries, and an aviation education city spread over 136 acres near the airport,” he elaborated.
Vizianagaram District Collector S Ram Sundar Reddy, Visakhapatnam Collector MN Harendhira Prasad, GMR Airports Business Chairperson GBS Raju, Deputy Managing Director I Prabhakar Rao, MPs, MLAs and senior officials were present.
CM congratulates people
Congratulating the people of Andhra Pradesh on the successful validation flight at Bhogapuram airport, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the milestone marked a significant step forward for aviation in the State, particularly for Uttarandhra.
“Congratulations to the people of Andhra Pradesh, especially Uttarandhra, on the successful validation flight of the Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport. This achievement marks a new milestone in the State’s aviation journey. I thank Hon’ble Prime
Minister Narendra Modi for his vision, leadership, and commitment to AP’s development. The airport, which was planned and initiated during the NDA government’s tenure between 2014 and 2019, will be ready to serve the public with commercial flight operations from June,” he posted on X.
Landmark moment: Lokesh
IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh described the occasion as a landmark moment for the State’s growth trajectory.”
Today is a landmark day for Andhra Pradesh. The successful validation flight at Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport marks a decisive step in enhancing connectivity and unlocking Uttarandhra’s growth potential,” he said.
Jagan hails achievement
Former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also welcomed the achievement, recalling the role played during his government’s tenure in advancing the project. “During our tenure, expedited permissions, timely approvals, and land acquisition, including rehabilitation and resettlement with an outlay of nearly Rs 960 crore, helped lay a strong foundation for steady progress. A significant portion of the project work was completed during this period,” he said.