A significant step towards operational readiness was achieved on Sunday as the first commercial validation flight touched down at the upcoming Bhogapuram International Airport. This event marks a crucial milestone just weeks before the airport's scheduled public opening on June 26.
A Milestone Landing for Andhra Pradesh's Aviation Hub
The historic flight, an Air India Airbus A320, arrived from Delhi at 11 am. On board were key dignitaries including Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, Vizianagaram MP Kalisetti Appala Naidu, and senior officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). They were welcomed at the new terminal by a gathering of state ministers, MLAs, and MPs.
The aircraft landed smoothly on the newly constructed runway, which stretches over 3,000 metres in length. Officials confirmed that the Alluri Sitarama Raju Greenfield International Airport at Bhogapuram is now 97% complete, with only minor civil and interior works remaining.
Engineered for Resilience and Future Growth
Designed as India's second greenfield airport after Mumbai, the Bhogapuram facility boasts exceptional resilience. Its infrastructure is built to withstand severe cyclonic conditions common to the coastal region. Key engineering features include:
- Ability to sustain wind speeds of up to 275 kmph.
- Capacity to handle heavy rainfall of up to 27 cm.
- A robust drainage system engineered for extreme weather events.
The airport's development is planned in three phases, with a long-term vision to handle approximately 45 million passengers annually. The first phase, constructed at a cost of Rs 4,727 crore, will initially have an annual passenger capacity of 6 million.
On Track for a June Inauguration
The successful validation flight is the final major procedural step before the airport receives its operational license. With the physical construction nearly finished and regulatory checks underway, the project is firmly on course for its public launch at the end of June. This new airport is set to become a major aviation gateway for northern Andhra Pradesh, boosting connectivity and economic activity in the region.
