Bhogapuram International Airport in Andhra Pradesh has successfully completed its first domestic test flight, bringing the country’s second greenfield airport closer to full commercial operations. The Air India flight from New Delhi, carrying Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and senior officials, landed smoothly on the airport’s 3.8-km runway on Sunday, January 4. The validation flight marks a critical step in final checks before passenger and cargo services begin.
Spread over 2,200 acres and built by the GMR Group in a public-private partnership, Bhogapuram Airport is designed to operate up to 200 flights daily, with capacity to park 18 aircraft overnight. The facility is expected to handle 18 million passengers annually at full scale, though the initial phase will cater to around 6 million. Its runway can accommodate wide-body aircraft, including the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8.
Once operational, the airport will significantly boost passenger connectivity, cargo handling, and logistics in North Coastal Andhra by linking the region to national and international air networks. The project, initiated between 2014 and 2019 at a cost of approximately ₹4,725 crore, will feature a modern aerotropolis, aviation hub, and a state-of-the-art cargo terminal. Commercial operations are expected to commence within 3–4 months from June 2026, according to Civil Aviation Minister Naidu.
