Airport to Begin Commercial Operations from August 17 with Initial Capacity of 6 Million Passengers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district, marking a major milestone in the state’s aviation infrastructure. Developed by GMR Group at an investment of nearly ₹5,000 crore, the airport is expected to serve as a key growth driver for North Andhra by improving regional connectivity and supporting economic development.
The Andhra Pradesh government has positioned the airport as more than just a transportation project, describing it as a strategic asset designed to accelerate industrialisation, boost exports, create employment opportunities, promote skill development, and strengthen the region’s research ecosystem.
A Major Boost for North Andhra
Located in Bhogapuram, the new international airport has been developed to meet the growing demand for air connectivity in North Andhra Pradesh. According to the state government, the project is expected to improve access to Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and surrounding districts while supporting business, tourism and trade.
In the first phase, the airport has been designed to handle 6 million passengers annually. The long-term master plan envisions expanding capacity to 40 million passengers per year, positioning it among India’s major aviation hubs in the coming decades.
Commercial Flights From August 17
Commercial flight operations from the Bhogapuram airport are scheduled to commence on August 17, providing passengers with a new gateway to the region.
During the inauguration, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu briefed the Prime Minister on the airport’s infrastructure, development roadmap and its expected contribution to the state’s economy.
Part of Larger Infrastructure Push
Following the airport inauguration, Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth nearly ₹18,000 crore across Andhra Pradesh.
The projects are aimed at strengthening infrastructure, improving connectivity and supporting the state’s long-term economic growth agenda.
Outlook
The launch of the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport marks a significant addition to India’s expanding aviation network. With commercial operations set to begin this month and ambitious expansion plans already in place, the airport is expected to improve regional connectivity, attract investments, facilitate exports, generate employment, and support the long-term development of North Andhra Pradesh. Infrastructure, Andhra Pradesh Development
