Bhogapuram Airport Welcomes First Commercial Test Flight, Marking Major Aviation Milestone for Andhra Pradesh

Visakhapatnam, Jan 2026 : The first commercial validation flight landed successfully at the Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport in Vizianagaram district on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in the growth of Andhra Pradesh’s aviation infrastructure and signalling the beginning of a new chapter for air connectivity in the region.

An Air India aircraft operating from New Delhi touched down smoothly at the new airport, located around 50 km from Visakhapatnam. The successful landing demonstrated the operational readiness of the airport ahead of its formal inauguration.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and Vizianagaram Member of Parliament Kalisetti Appala Naidu were among the passengers on board the test flight. Several senior officials from the aviation and state administration also travelled on the aircraft to witness the landmark moment firsthand.

The aircraft landed on the airport’s 3.8-km-long runway, which is the longest runway in the country. Built using advanced engineering and the latest aviation technology, the runway is designed to handle wide-body aircraft and support long-haul international operations, significantly enhancing the region’s aviation capabilities.

The Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport is being developed by the GMR Group under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) basis. The project is being executed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL), a subsidiary of the GMR Group.

Spread across nearly 2,200 acres, the airport is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 4,592 crore. According to GVIAL officials, nearly 96 per cent of the construction work has already been completed, and the facility is on track for inauguration in June this year.

Addressing the gathering after the successful test flight, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the airport within the next four to five months. He described the project as a game-changer for North Coastal Andhra Pradesh.

The minister said the new airport would significantly boost air connectivity to the region and help transform it into a major economic and logistics hub. He added that Bhogapuram Airport would play a crucial role in the development of the upcoming Visakhapatnam economic region, attracting investment and generating employment.

Ram Mohan Naidu also highlighted efforts to ensure seamless road connectivity between Visakhapatnam and the airport. He said road links would be provided through seven access points and are likely to be completed by April. The feasibility of constructing an elevated expressway is also under examination.

Last month, the minister launched the Aviation, Aerospace and Defence (AAD) EduCity near the airport. Spread over 136 acres, the AAD EduCity is being promoted as India’s first integrated aviation, aerospace and defence education hub, aimed at addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals and positioning India as a global talent supplier in the aviation sector.

Team Maverick.