Bhogapuram Airport holds validation flight before June launch

By Admin

05 Jan, 2026

Introduction
Bhogapuram Airport, coming up near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, has crossed a major regulatory milestone with the successful conduct of a validation flight. This important step brings the airport closer to its commercial inauguration, which is scheduled for June this year.

Successful Validation Flight Conducted
A validation flight, which is mandatory for the start of commercial operations, was conducted at Bhogapuram airport on Saturday. The exercise was carried out by an Air India aircraft and confirmed that the airport meets key operational and safety standards. The airport operator, GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Ltd (GVIAL), stated that the validation flight is a crucial requirement for obtaining the aerodrome licence from the aviation regulator.

High-Level Presence Marks Milestone
The validation flight took place in the presence of Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, representatives of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), officers from the Andhra Pradesh government, and senior leadership of the GMR Group. Their presence underlined the strategic importance of the project for both the state and the country.

Testing Airside Infrastructure and Readiness
Saturday’s exercise validated the airport’s airside infrastructure, including runway systems, navigational aids, and overall operational preparedness. All checks were carried out in line with the requirements prescribed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), ensuring that the airport is ready for safe and efficient commercial operations.

Project Progress and Development Model
The Bhogapuram airport is being developed as a public-private partnership under the design-build-finance-operate-transfer (DBFOT) model. GMR Group Deputy Managing Director I Prabhakar Rao stated that around 90 per cent of the construction work has been completed and that the project is progressing ahead of schedule.

Boost to Andhra Pradesh’s Growth
Speaking on the occasion, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu said the airport would play a critical role in the development of Andhra Pradesh. He highlighted that Visakhapatnam is set to emerge as the economic capital of the eastern region, with Bhogapuram airport acting as a growth engine by generating employment, strengthening regional industries, and improving connectivity for businesses and tourists.

Strategic Addition to GMR Airports Portfolio
GMR Airports, which already operates major airports in Delhi, Hyderabad, and Goa, continues to expand its footprint through greenfield projects in India and overseas. Bhogapuram airport is seen as a key addition to its domestic portfolio. GMR Group Business Chairman (Airports) G B S Raju said the project reflects the group’s long-standing focus on building large-scale aviation assets.

Future Capacity and Aerotropolis Vision
The airport is being developed in phases, with an initial passenger handling capacity of 6 million passengers per annum. This capacity will be scaled up in line with future traffic growth. The project also includes ambitious plans for an aerotropolis, an aviation hub, and a dedicated cargo terminal, aimed at supporting efficient cargo operations and boosting regional trade.

Conclusion
With the successful validation flight completed, Bhogapuram Airport is firmly on track for its June launch. Once operational, it is expected to significantly enhance air connectivity in Andhra Pradesh, support economic growth, and position Visakhapatnam as a major aviation and business hub on India’s east coast.