(Visakhapatnam/Bhogapuram): History was made in the skies of North Andhra today. At approximately 1:00 PM this afternoon (Sunday, Jan 4), the first-ever commercial aircraft touched down at the newly constructed Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport.
This successful trial run marks the final countdown to the airport’s official opening, promising to transform Visakhapatnam into a major global aviation hub.
The Historic Landing: Key Details
- The Aircraft: An Air India flight (carrying officials and technical crew) departed from New Delhi at 11:00 AM and executed a perfect landing on the new 3.8-km runway.
- VIP on Board: The flight carried Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, who has been personally monitoring the project’s “record-speed” completion.
- Purpose: This was a “Validation Flight” to test the runway strength, navigation systems, and air traffic control readiness before the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) grants the final license.
When Can YOU Fly? (Timeline)
Following today’s success, the timeline for public operations has been accelerated:
- Commercial Operations Start: Expected in May or June 2026.
- Current Status: 95% of the construction work (Terminal, ATC Tower, Runway) is complete.
- Next Steps: Final finishing works and DGCA licensing will be completed by April.
Why Bhogapuram is a Game Changer
Built by the GMR Group (the same company behind Delhi and Hyderabad airports), this facility replaces the existing Visakhapatnam Airport for civilian operations, which often faced restrictions due to being a Navy airfield.
- Name: Likely to be named “Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport”.
- Capacity: Designed to handle 60 lakh passengers annually in Phase 1.
- Connectivity: A new 6-lane expressway is being built to cut travel time from Vizag city to Bhogapuram to just 40 minutes.
Official Statement
“This is not just an airport; it is the engine of growth for North Andhra. We promised to deliver this before the deadline, and today’s landing proves we are on track to open for the public by mid-2026.” — K. Rammohan Naidu, Civil Aviation Minister.
FAQs
A: The existing airport in the city is a Naval airfield. Once Bhogapuram opens, all civilian commercial flights will shift to Bhogapuram. The old airport will remain with the Indian Navy.
A: Bhogapuram is about 45-50 km from Visakhapatnam city center. The government is expediting the Beach Corridor and Highway expansion to ensure fast connectivity.
A: The GMR Group is in talks to launch direct flights to Dubai, Singapore, and Sri Lanka immediately after opening.
Disclaimer: The landing described is a technical trial run (Validation Flight) for regulatory approvals. Public flight bookings have not opened yet. Commercial operation dates are subject to final DGCA clearance.
