Visakhapatnam shuts, Bhogapuram opens: Andhra’s newest commercial airport

Bhogapuram Airport in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram district has begun commercial flight operations, marking a shift in the Visakhapatnam Airport's function. The new international airport is roughly 55 kilometers away from the existing Visakhapatnam Airport and is primarily intended to handle private flights, although it can accommodate up to 6 million passengers annually.

Developed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at a cost exceeding Rs 5,640 crore, the greenfield airport has the capacity to connect Visakhapatnam with major destinations across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport on August 1, while Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu flagged off the first commercial flight, signifying the start of operations. On its inaugural day, the airport planned 52 air traffic movements (ATMs) and welcomed flights from various airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, Scoot, and India One. The first arrivals included IndiGo's 6E 6408 flight from Hyderabad-HYD and Air India Express's 6E 1443 flight from Abu Dhabi-AUH.

Passengers praised the airport's modern facilities and technology, with one stating that the flight was smooth and comfortable, while another mentioned the spacious nature of the airport. Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, operated by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL), has been planned for phased expansion to handle more than 40 million passengers annually, with a 3,800-meter Code 4E runway designed to support wide-body aircraft.