The upcoming GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport at Bhogapuram on Saturday successfully conducted validation flight, marking a key step towards operational readiness.
The validation flight, operated by an Air India aircraft, was conducted in the presence of Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Andhra Pradesh government, and the GMR Group. The exercise validates the airport’s airside infrastructure, including runway systems, navigational aids and overall operational preparedness, in accordance with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) norms.
The successful trial is a crucial prerequisite for obtaining the aerodrome licence and paves the way for the commencement of commercial flight operations at Andhra Pradesh’s new greenfield international airport.
Addressing the occasion, Naidu said the Bhogapuram airport would play a pivotal role in the state’s economic growth. He said the project would enhance regional connectivity, generate employment, strengthen trade and exports, and unlock Andhra Pradesh’s tourism potential, while placing the region firmly on the global aviation map.
GMR Group Business Chairman (Airports) G.B.S. Raju said the airport reflects the group’s commitment to building world-class aviation infrastructure and is envisioned as a growth engine for the state, supporting employment, tourism, trade and allied industries.
GMR Group Deputy Managing Director I. Prabhakar Rao said the Bhogapuram Airport project has crossed 90 per cent completion and is progressing ahead of schedule. He added that the validation flight reflects strong coordination among stakeholders and that the airport will offer world-class facilities and a seamless passenger experience once operational.
The Bhogapuram Airport is being developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL), a wholly owned subsidiary of GMR Airports Limited, under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis. The airport will be developed in phases, with an initial capacity of six million passengers per annum, scalable based on traffic growth.
In addition to passenger operations, the project includes plans for an aerotropolis, an aviation hub and a dedicated state-of-the-art cargo terminal, aimed at strengthening logistics and cargo handling capabilities in the region.
Once operational, the Bhogapuram International Airport is expected to significantly enhance air connectivity for Andhra Pradesh and contribute to the state’s broader economic and infrastructure development.
