Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport Set for August 1 Inauguration in Bhogapuram
Andhra Pradesh is scheduled to open its first international airport developed since the state’s 2014 bifurcation on Saturday, August 1, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, and other dignitaries, will inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district. The project was constructed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL), a subsidiary of GMR Group, under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at a cost exceeding Rs 4,700 crore.
What Happened
The official inauguration ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. on August 1, 2026. Although the formal opening takes place on August 1, commercial passenger flights will begin operating from August 17, 2026. On that same day, civilian flight services will permanently stop at the existing Visakhapatnam Airport located at INS Dega. Built on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) framework, the greenfield airport encompasses over 2,200 acres, with roughly 500 additional acres set aside for prospective future expansion.
Key Highlights
- Investment and Developer: Developed by GVIAL (GMR Group) on a PPP model with an investment of over Rs 4,700 crore.
- Passenger Capacity: Initial capacity is set at roughly six million passengers annually in Phase 1, with planned expandability up to 40 million passengers.
- Airside Facilities: Features a 3,800-metre Code E runway, full-length parallel taxiway, CAT I Instrument Landing System (ILS), and LED airfield lighting capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A350, and Airbus A330.
- Advanced Infrastructure: Includes an AI-integrated Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC) and a glass façade built to resist cyclonic winds of up to 275 kmph.
- Cargo & Trade: Houses a dedicated cargo terminal with cold-chain facilities to support exports of seafood, pharmaceuticals, agricultural goods, and manufactured items.
- Strategic Location: Situated next to National Highway 16 along the Chennai-Kolkata corridor, serving Visakhapatnam (45 km away), Vizianagaram (20 km away), and Srikakulam (60 km away).
Why This Matters
The shift from the existing facility at INS Dega addresses long-standing spatial and operational constraints. Currently, civilian air traffic operates out of a civil enclave inside the Indian Navy’s airbase, where military priorities restrict flight slots, round-the-clock flights, and large aircraft handling. Furthermore, the INS Dega site is hemmed in by urban developments and defense land, preventing runway extension or terminal expansion. The Ministry of Defence envisions INS Dega as a full naval air station supporting squadrons of Dornier aircraft, various helicopters, Hawk jet trainers, and future operations involving aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, MiG-29K fighters, and MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. Moving civilian aviation to Bhogapuram provides a dedicated greenfield site with space for an aerotropolis, helping improve regional connectivity and economic trade across north coastal Andhra Pradesh.
What to Watch Next
Commercial flights are set to commence at the new Bhogapuram facility on August 17, 2026, marking the total transition of civilian traffic from INS Dega. Following the initial opening, GMR plans to initiate surrounding aerotropolis developments to support long-term passenger growth targets of up to 40 million visitors annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport be inaugurated?
The airport inauguration is scheduled for Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 11 a.m.
When will commercial flights begin operating from the new airport?
Commercial passenger operations are expected to start on August 17, 2026, at which point INS Dega will cease civilian flight operations.
Who developed the Bhogapuram airport project?
The airport was developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL), a subsidiary of the GMR Group, using a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model on a DBFOT basis.
Which regions are directly served by the new airport?
Located in Vizianagaram district along NH-16, the airport serves the north coastal districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam.
Source: The Hindu