Historic Milestone for Uttarandhra: First Validation Flight Lands at Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram

BharatTone Infrastructure | January 05, 2026

In a proud moment for Andhra Pradesh and a testament to the rapid infrastructure development under the NDA alliance, the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport (ASRIA) at Bhogapuram achieved a significant milestone on January 4, 2026, with the successful landing of the inaugural commercial validation flight. An Air India aircraft from New Delhi touched down smoothly on the airport’s state-of-the-art 3.8 km runway—the longest in the country—receiving a ceremonial water cannon salute.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, along with Vizianagaram MP Kalisetti Appala Naidu and senior officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), were aboard the flight. The validation successfully tested runway performance, navigational aids, air traffic control systems, and overall operational readiness, paving the way for the aerodrome license.

The ₹4,700 crore greenfield project, developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL) in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode, is now over 96% complete. GMR officials expressed confidence in meeting the June 30, 2026, deadline for full commercial operations, with Phase 1 designed to handle 6 million passengers annually, expandable in the future.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu hailed the event as “a new milestone for aviation in the state,” emphasizing its role in strengthening regional connectivity and boosting Uttarandhra’s growth. He credited the project’s planning and initiation during the NDA tenure (2014-2019) and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visionary leadership.

Minister Rammohan Naidu described the day as historic, stating, “Visakhapatnam is set to become the economic capital of the East. Bhogapuram Airport will be a powerful engine of growth—creating thousands of jobs, catalysing industries, boosting exports, and unlocking tourism potential.”

A Decade-Long Vision Realised

Planned since 2015 and initiated under the previous NDA government, the airport overcame delays in land acquisition during intervening years. The current alliance government has accelerated progress, with expedited approvals and enhanced road connectivity, including a dedicated bypass national highway approved by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.

Spanning 2,200 acres in Vizianagaram district, about 50 km north of Visakhapatnam, the airport will feature modern terminals, cargo facilities, and an integrated Aero City with hotels, MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) units, and aviation training academies. An Aviation, Aerospace, and Defence (AAD) EduCity nearby will further skill youth and attract investments.

Once operational, Bhogapuram will relieve Visakhapatnam Airport (eventually shifting naval operations) and serve as a major hub for north coastal Andhra, connecting to domestic and international routes while driving economic transformation in the region.

This milestone underscores Bharat’s commitment to world-class infrastructure, fostering self-reliance and regional prosperity under strong leadership. As commercial flights approach, Uttarandhra stands poised for takeoff into a brighter future.