Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu described the landing as proof that construction work was nearing completion.
Published Jan 04, 2026 | 8:51 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 04, 2026 | 8:51 PM
Representational image. Credit: iStock
Synopsis: The Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport in Vizianagaram marked a milestone with its first commercial validation flight on 4 January. Air India’s AI3198, carrying Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, landed successfully, confirming near-complete construction. Developed by GMR Group, the airport will decongest Vizag, boost connectivity, and support economic growth, with commercial operations slated for mid-2026.
In a shot in the arm to aviation infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh, the first commercial validation flight successfully landed at the Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport on Sunday, 4 January, marking a crucial step towards full operational readiness.
The Air India flight, AI3198, arrived from Delhi at around 11 am, carrying Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, along with senior officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The trial landing was conducted to assess runway readiness, navigation systems and overall operational capability ahead of the airport’s planned commercial launch by June 2026.
Located about 50 km from Visakhapatnam in Vizianagaram district, the airport—named Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport—is designed to handle six million passengers annually in its initial phase, with scope for expansion to 18 million.
Once operational, the airport is expected to ease slot constraints at the existing Visakhapatnam airport, which is limited by Indian Navy operations. It is also projected to serve as a catalyst for economic growth in North Coastal Andhra by significantly improving regional and international connectivity.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, who was on board the flight, described the landing as proof that construction work was nearing completion.
“The test flight indicates that almost all construction work has been completed. Our vision is to provide comprehensive aviation services from Bhogapuram. IT and Education Minister Nara Lokesh is keen on developing this area as an aviation education hub,” he said.
Developed by the GMR Group, the project has achieved around 95 percent completion. It includes plans for a 136-acre Aviation Education City, apart from cargo and maintenance facilities.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu hailed the successful test landing as a “new milestone for aviation in the state.”
In a post on X, he congratulated the people of Andhra Pradesh, particularly those in Uttarandhra, and underscored the airport’s role in strengthening regional connectivity and accelerating economic development.
Congratulations to the people of Andhra Pradesh, especially Uttarandhra, on the successful validation flight of the Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport. Today marks a new milestone for aviation in the state, strengthening regional connectivity and giving a major boost to… pic.twitter.com/ujUaKasVsV
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) January 4, 2026
He said: “Today marks a new milestone for aviation in the state, strengthening regional connectivity and giving a major boost to Uttarandhra as the region prepares to take off,” he said. The Chief Minister also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “vision, leadership and commitment to the progress of Andhra Pradesh,” noting that the airport was planned and initiated during his first term in the reorganised state between 2014 and 2019.
With the presence of an international airport, Bhogapuram is expected to emerge as a key gateway for North Coastal Andhra, offering improved air travel options and supporting aviation-linked initiatives such as maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities. Commercial operations are slated to begin by mid-2026, integrating the region more closely into India’s expanding aviation network.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
