Bhogapuram International Airport to be Inaugurated in May 2026, Trial Runs Next Month

Visakhapatnam, Dec 2025 : Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu announced on Tuesday that the Bhogapuram International Airport near Vizianagaram will be dedicated to the nation in May 2026, a month ahead of its originally scheduled completion in June. He also stated that trial runs at the airport will commence next month.

The announcement was made during the launch of the Aviation, Aerospace and Defence (AAD) EduCity, being developed on 136 acres near Bhogapuram Airport. The EduCity is touted as India’s first fully integrated platform for aviation, aerospace, and defence education, aiming to bridge the global and domestic shortage of skilled aviation professionals.

Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu highlighted that 91.7 per cent of the airport works have already been completed, reflecting the swift progress of the project. The minister emphasised that the advanced inauguration demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s aviation infrastructure.

Andhra Pradesh Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh, who presided over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between two private firms at the event, said the initiative will directly address the human capital shortage, which is considered a key constraint for the growth of India’s aviation sector.

The launch event was also attended by Goa Governor P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu, G.B.S. Raju, and other dignitaries.

The AAD EduCity is designed as an integrated education–innovation–industry cluster, combining international branch campuses, globally reputed universities, licensing and certification programmes aligned with DGCA, European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and other global standards. It will feature advanced research and innovation centres in aerospace design, AI-enabled aviation systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, sustainable aviation, and safety technologies.

The campus will also include incubation, prototyping, and startup support for aviation and aerospace technologies, along with residential and social infrastructure, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem for students and professionals.

According to the Andhra Pradesh government, the initiative aligns with National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP), National Education Policy 2020, Make in India, and India’s broader aerospace and defence ambitions, positioning the state as a leading hub for skilled aviation talent and innovation.