Union Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu successfully arrived at Bhogapuram airport in Andhra Pradesh aboard an Air India validation flight, marking a significant milestone in the airport's development timeline. The validation flight was conducted by GMR Airports -led GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Ltd. in the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India (AAI), and Andhra Pradesh government officials.

Validation Flight Achievement

The successful flight validated critical infrastructure including airside infrastructure, navigational aids, runway systems, and overall operational readiness in line with regulatory requirements laid down by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This validation represents a crucial step in acquiring an aerodrome licence and serves as a critical prerequisite before the commencement of commercial flight operations.

Strategic Economic Impact

Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu emphasized that this milestone marks a historic moment in Andhra Pradesh's development journey. "Visakhapatnam is set to become the economic capital of the East. The Bhogapuram Airport will serve as a powerful engine of growth—creating employment opportunities, catalysing regional industries, and significantly enhancing connectivity for people and businesses alike," he stated.

The minister highlighted that the airport will strengthen trade, boost exports, and unlock the immense tourism potential of Andhra Pradesh. With world-class infrastructure, the project is expected to accelerate economic development, attract investment, and place the region firmly on the global aviation and commerce map.

Development Progress and Infrastructure

GMR Group Deputy Managing Director I Prabhakar Rao confirmed that the Bhogapuram Airport project has achieved over 90% completion and is progressing well ahead of stipulated timelines. The facility is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership model on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis as a Greenfield Airport in stages.

Operational Capacity and Future Scope

Once operational, Bhogapuram airport will significantly expand the region's aviation capacity with an initial annual passenger handling capability of six million passengers. The airport will feature an aerotropolis, an aviation hub, and a dedicated state-of-the-art cargo terminal, ensuring world-class facilities for efficient cargo operations.

GMR Group Business Chairman (Airports) G B S Raju noted that the Bhogapuram International Airport reflects the Group's long-standing commitment to creating world-class national assets that catalyse economic growth and regional development. "For over two decades, the Group has played a pioneering role in building and operating some of India's most iconic airports, transforming aviation infrastructure through scale, sustainability and passenger-centric design," he said.

The successful validation flight positions Bhogapuram airport as a key infrastructure development that will transform regional aviation connectivity and economic growth in Andhra Pradesh.

GMR Airports has successfully qualified as one of the five shortlisted bidders for the $800 million new Taif International Airport project in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone in the company's international expansion efforts. The qualification was announced by the National Center for Privatisation & PPP, positioning GMR Airports among the select few contenders for this major infrastructure project.

Shortlisted Bidders

The competitive bidding process has narrowed down to five qualified consortiums, each bringing substantial expertise in airport development and operations:

Project Structure and Timeline

The Taif International Airport project will be executed under a comprehensive public-private partnership framework. The structure follows a build-transfer-operate model, providing the selected developer with operational control while ensuring eventual transfer to the government.

Airport Infrastructure and Facilities

The new Taif International Airport will feature comprehensive infrastructure designed to meet current and future aviation demands. The project scope encompasses a commercial passenger terminal specifically designed to match projected capacity requirements and anticipated passenger demand patterns.

Key infrastructure components include:

• Commercial passenger terminal with capacity-matched design
• Support buildings for operational requirements
• Comprehensive utility networks
• Car parking facilities
• Access roads and transportation infrastructure

Future Expansion Capabilities

The project design incorporates flexibility for future growth, allowing for expansions to meet additional subsystem requirements as demand evolves. The National Center for Privatisation & PPP emphasized that the airport infrastructure will be designed to accommodate projected passenger demand growth through 2055.

The new facility is strategically planned to serve Umrah pilgrims as an alternative airport within the region's multi-airport system, enhancing the overall capacity and efficiency of Saudi Arabia's aviation infrastructure for religious tourism.