A view of the construction activity at the Greenfield International Airport in Bhogapuram near Visakhapatnam. Photo: Special Arrangement
A grand welcome with water cannons was given to the first Air India flight, which landed successfully as part of the commercial validation of the first flight at Bhogapuram International Airport in Vizianagaram district, around 50 km from Visakhapatnam city, on Sunday (January 4, 2026) morning.
Union Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, accompanied by Vizianagaram MP Kalisetti Appala Naidu and others, came on the flight, which landed at the newly constructed airport around 11.10 a.m.
Collector S. Ramsundar Reddy, Joint Collector Sedhu Madhavan, several public representatives and executives of GMR Group welcomed the Minister and other VIPs on the runway. They expressed happiness over the successful completion of the first trail run on the 3.8 km long runway constructed at the airport.
Mr. Rammohan Naidu said that it was a historic day in the aviation sector while hoping that the new airport would spur the economic activity in the entire North Andhra region. He exuded confidence that GMR group would adhere to the deadline of June 30, 2026, set for the full-fledged operations of the airport. He said that the government was taking steps to widen the roads in all routes with an aim to ensure hassle-free travel for to the airport for air passengers coming from Visakhapatnam city and other places in the region.
GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL) is constructing a greenfield airport on 2,200 acres of land with an estimated cost of ₹4,725 crores. The airport, proposed in 2014, is all set to take off within six months with decks cleared for its operations. GMR Group Deputy Managing Director I. Prabhakara Rao said that 96% works were completed, and special care is being taken to meet the expectations of the government.
According to him, as many as 200 planes can be operated from the new airport. As many as 18 planes can be parked during nighttime. The group claimed that it would ensure hassle-free services for the travellers by arranging 18 immigration counters for the passengers.
The group anticipates that 33% of travellers from Visakhapatnam district and remaining 67% from North Andhra, Odisha, Chattisgarh and other places. The airport can handle 20,000 tonnes of cargo every year. A big cargo terminal is also being constructed to export bulk drugs, agriculture, marine and other products.
Published – January 04, 2026 11:40 am IST
