Bhogapuram airport takes off with 52 flight movements on opening day

The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram commenced commercial flight operations on Monday, recording 52 air traffic movements on its opening day and marking a major milestone for aviation infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh.

The greenfield airport, developed and operated by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL) and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 1, is expected to enhance domestic and international connectivity while supporting trade, tourism and investment across North Andhra Pradesh.

According to information released by airport authorities and reported by The Hindu, the opening day saw flights connecting the region with key Indian cities as well as international destinations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu marked the occasion by handing over boarding passes and commemorative mementoes to passengers travelling on inaugural services.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, in a post on X, described the airport's launch as a historic moment for the state, highlighting its potential to improve connectivity and create economic opportunities.

Inaugural operations connect domestic and international routes

The airport's first day of operations featured services by Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, Scoot and IndiaOne, with aircraft receiving traditional water cannon salutes upon arrival.

Key inaugural flight movements included:

• IndiGo flight 6E 6408 from Hyderabad, which became the airport's first arriving commercial flight
• The return departure of the same aircraft as IndiGo flight 6E 9051
• IndiGo flight 6E 1443 from Abu Dhabi, marking the airport's first international arrival
• Its outbound service as flight 6E 1444
• Scoot flight TR 784 from Singapore, followed by its return journey as TR 785

The commencement of international operations on day one reflects the airport's role as a gateway connecting eastern India with overseas markets.

Built for long-term aviation growth

The Bhogapuram facility has been designed as a large-scale aviation and logistics hub.

According to GVIAL, the airport spans approximately 2,200 acres and features a 3,800-metre Code 4E runway capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft, including:

• Boeing 777
• Boeing 787 Dreamliner
• Airbus A330
• Airbus A350
• Boeing 747 aircraft

The airport has an initial annual passenger handling capacity of 6 million travellers, with plans for future expansion to support more than 40 million passengers annually.

Kanwarbir Singh Kalra, Chief Executive Officer of GVIAL, said the airport's launch was the culmination of years of planning and engineering work and would strengthen trade, tourism, investment and employment opportunities across the region.

Early passenger experience highlights connectivity challenge

The launch also marked the transition of commercial operations from the city-based INS Dega airport in Visakhapatnam to the new facility at Bhogapuram.

While passengers welcomed the modern infrastructure and faster processing experience, some noted the longer journey required to reach the airport.

Speaking to The Hindu, Vikram Penmetsa, a chartered accountant from Siripuram, said travel to the airport involved navigating traffic bottlenecks near Anandapuram Junction. However, he noted that check-in and security procedures were completed within 15 to 20 minutes and described the terminal facilities as being comparable with international standards.

Public transport network supports airport access

To improve connectivity between Visakhapatnam city and the airport, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has introduced dedicated Aero Express electric bus services.

Key features of the service include:

• An initial fleet of 14 air-conditioned electric buses
• Operations from 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Services every 30 minutes
• Two primary routes connecting major city locations with the airport

The first route links Gajuwaka to the airport through NAD, Gurudwara, Zoo Park, Marikivalasa, Anandapuram and Tagarapuvalasa.

The second route connects Scindia, Visakhapatnam Railway Station, Dwaraka Bus Station, Siripuram, ISKCON Temple and IT Hills before joining the highway corridor.

Bus fares range from ₹50 to ₹400, depending on the boarding point.

Gateway for the region

The launch of commercial operations at Bhogapuram represents one of the most significant aviation infrastructure developments in eastern India in recent years. With international connectivity already in place, a high-capacity runway and expansion plans targeting more than 40 million passengers annually, the airport is positioned to become a major aviation, logistics and economic hub for Andhra Pradesh and the wider eastern coast region.