AP: First Flight Lands at Bhogapuram Airport, Marks New Era of Connectivity for Andhra Pradesh: CM Naidu
Bhogapuram (Vizianagaram Dist., Andhra Pradesh), Aug 17 (TNT): The Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) International Airport at Bhogapuram commenced commercial operations on Monday with the landing of the first IndiGo flight, 6E 6408, from Hyderabad at around 6:50 am.
GMR officials, district authorities and airport staff welcomed the flight and its passengers.
As a special gesture, passengers were presented with traditional Etikoppaka toys .
On arrival at Bhogapuram, the first flight received a traditional water cannon salute, marking the commencement of commercial flight operations at the new airport.
The first departure was Air India Express flight IX2745 to Hyderabad at 8.50 am.
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu flagged off the first flight and handed boarding passes to passengers.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the commencement of operations at the ASR International Airport marked the beginning of a historic new chapter for the state.
In a post on ‘X’, Naidu said the first IndiGo flight from Hyderabad landing at Bhogapuram marked the beginning of a new era of connectivity for Andhra Pradesh.
He said the commencement of flights from Bhogapuram would open up new opportunities for the aspirations, dreams and futures of the state’s youth.
The Chief Minister congratulated the people of Andhra Pradesh on the “momentous new beginning”.
Developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL) under Public Private Partnership model, the International airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on August 1, 2026.
Designed with an initial capacity of 6 million passengers annually, the airport has been master planned for phased expansion to handle over 40 million passengers per annum.
Its 3,800-metre Code 4E runway, capable of handling wide-body aircraft, positions the airport to support future domestic and international expansion while strengthening air cargo capabilities and reinforcing Andhra Pradesh’s emergence as a major aviation and logistics hub on India’s eastern seaboard .
Spread over 77,300.42 square metres, the new terminal is equipped with modern passenger amenities and facilities aimed at enhancing passenger comfort and operational efficiency. It has 22 check-in counters, 18 self-baggage drop units, advanced security screening systems, modern baggage handling facilities and seven aerobridges.
TNT KM
