Flight Operations Begin at Bhogapuram Airport, CM Naidu Congratulates People
17 Aug 2026 1:36 PM IST17 Aug 2026 1:36 PM IST
The operations commenced a fortnight after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the modern facility equipped with a number of features
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. (Photo: X)
Vizianagaram (Andhra Pradesh): Commercial flight operations commenced at the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram here on Monday, with the first flight operated by IndiGo arriving from Hyderabad.
The operations commenced a fortnight after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the modern facility equipped with a number of features. On Monday, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu flagged off the first commercial flight services at the airport and handed over boarding passes to passengers, marking the beginning of operations at the new international airport.
"The commencement of commercial flight operations at Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport is a matter of great happiness and pride. This marks the beginning of a new chapter for North Andhra and will open new opportunities for the region," said Ram Mohan Naidu in a message.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu hailed the commencement of operations at the airport as a historic new chapter for the state. PM Modi inaugurated the airport, billed as one catering to the development needs of north Andhra, on August 1.
The first IndiGo flight arrived from Hyderabad, followed by an Air India Express flight from Bengaluru. The inaugural flight from Hyderabad made its return journey to the Telangana capital, marking the first departure from here.
"As flights take off from Bhogapuram, so too will the aspirations, dreams and futures of our young people, opening up new opportunities for them," said Chandrababu Naidu in a post on X.
According to the union minister, passengers who arrived at the airport praised its infrastructure, architecture and facilities. The airport has been built not merely as a building but as a symbol of our history, heritage and culture, he said.
He thanked farmers who gave up their land for the project and GMR authorities for their role in developing the airport, saying their cooperation and commitment helped create the infrastructure for the development of north Andhra.
He said the airport was expected to give a new impetus to north Andhra, which had earlier been described as a backward region, and create an environment conducive to investments, tourism, employment and economic activity.
Referring to Visakhapatnam Airport which till recently served the public, he said he understood the emotions of people who were saddened by the closure of its scheduled commercial operations. He said the infrastructure at Visakhapatnam Airport was now being utilised under general aviation for private flights.
He said infrastructure development and connectivity to Bhogapuram airport were also being strengthened, with several roads widened and seven major road projects taken up, including the Sontyam road connecting from the Simhachalam side.
Ram Mohan Naidu said the Beach Corridor had also been sanctioned and works would begin soon, providing another route between Visakhapatnam and the airport along the coast.
He said some initial inconvenience was expected at the new airport, but expressed confidence that people would feel proud after visiting and experiencing its facilities.
Scheduled commercial operations at Visakhapatnam Airport ceased on August 16, following the departure of the last flight, IndiGo 6E 2018 to Delhi, at 10.45 pm.
The Andhra Pradesh government views the Rs 5,700 crore Bhogapuram Airport, developed by GMR Group, not merely as an infrastructure project, but as a transformational asset for the entire north Andhra region. It was conceived as a catalyst for industrial growth, employment generation, exports, skill development and research.
Designed to handle six million passengers annually in the first phase, the airport also has a master plan to expand the capacity to 40 million passengers annually.
The airport is equipped with advanced technologies such as AI, Building Information Modelling (BIM), Airside 4.0 technologies, Airport Predictive Operations Centre (APOC) and biometric passenger processing, among others.
Its architectural design draws inspiration from the cultural heritage of Andhra Pradesh, with the terminal's roof profile reflecting the traditional Chuttilu cottages and the landscapes of the Araku Valley, while its flowing form symbolises the graceful movement of a flying fish.
( Source : PTI )
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