en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Alluri Sitarama Raju Bhogapuram International Airport in Visakhapatnam, India, has received its airport license and been declared ready. Following an inspection, the Civil Aviation Minister stated that the project was completed nearly six months ahead of the original target of December 2026, with full commercial flight operations set to begin within a week of the inauguration. The Chief Minister's Office has contacted the Prime Minister's Office to finalize the inauguration date, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend.
The airport, jointly built by the central government, the Andhra Pradesh government, and the GMR Group, was described by the minister as meeting international standards. In the month prior to the license issuance, extensive verification was conducted by relevant authorities. The airport is designed for an annual passenger capacity of 40 million, with a terminal building area of 78,000 square meters. Its architecture takes the shape of a flying fish, with interior and exterior designs reflecting the culture and heritage of North Andhra, and service standards comparable to major metropolitan airports.
The airport is seen as a key driver for the development of North Andhra, creating job opportunities and supporting sectors such as tourism, aviation, aquaculture, pharmaceuticals, and exports. To ensure connectivity, seven major road link projects are underway in the surrounding area, along with plans for a six-lane coastal corridor connecting RK Beach in Visakhapatnam to Bhogapuram. For air cargo, a dedicated cargo terminal with an annual handling capacity of 20,000 metric tons will be built to support the export of seafood, pharmaceuticals, and horticultural products.
The minister stated that Bhogapuram will become an international aviation hub, featuring dedicated maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities and an education city, aimed at creating employment opportunities for local youth. The airport will also provide logistics and infrastructure support for regional industries and exports. Vizianagaram MP Kalisetti Appala Naidu and MLA Lokam Madhavi participated in the inspection and announcement activities.
