Aviation sector to take wings in A.P. as Bhogapuram airport all set for flight validation test on January 4

A new era for the aviation sector in Andhra Pradesh is set to begin as the Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport is ready for the first commercial validation flight test on January 4.

The project undertaken during the NDA’s tenure between 2014 and 2019, after the State bifurcation, is expected to be ready by June 30.

Despite many legal hurdles, the government has acquired land which made GMR Group to begin the construction works in 2023. GMR group’s subsidiary, GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL), is constructing the airport on a stretch of 2,200 acres of land with an estimated cost of ₹4,592 crore.

The airport project is being constructed in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis.

The GVIAL has constucted a 3.8 km-long runway, which will be used for the first time during the commercial validation test on Sunday.

The construction of terminals, air traffic control, cargo, logistic buildings and others are almost ready. The airport is expected to handle 6 million passengers per year initially. 

Union Minister for Civil Aviation K. Rammohan Naidu, who recently visited the project site, hoped that the airport would act as a major growth engine for the development of North Andhra districts, with its strategic location between Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts.

The proposed aviation, aerospace and defence educational city near Bhogapuram would ensure further development of the North Andhra region, he said.

The GMR Group and MANSAS Trust run by Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju’s family will construct an Educity in 120 acres of land provided near Annavaram village by the trust.

Vizianagaram MLA Pusapati Aditi Vijaya Lakshmi told The Hindu that that skill- oriented courses in the Educity would help local people to get jobs in the aviation sector.

However, the distance from Visakhapatnam city to Bhogapuram remains a major concern for the air travellers from Visakhapatnam district as they need to travel nearly 50 km to reach Bhogapuram airport. 

Air Travellers Association vice-president Oruganti Naresh Kumar has urged the government to construct flyovers and radial roads between Visakhapatnam and Bhogapuram to ensure a hassle-free journey for the passengers from Visakhapatnam.