Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the new Bhogapuram international airport near Visakhapatnam on Saturday, August 1.
PM Modi to Inaugurate Bhogapuram Airport on August 1
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, near Visakhapatnam, on Saturday, August 1, 2026. The opening will mark a major milestone for Andhra Pradesh’s aviation sector and provide a new international gateway for the rapidly developing North Andhra region.
According to the announced programme, the Prime Minister is expected to arrive directly from New Delhi and remain at the airport from approximately 10:45 AM to 1:05 PM. Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Union ministers and senior state government representatives are expected to receive him.
Bhogapuram Airport Ceremony to Feature Cultural Welcome
More than 200 students are expected to welcome the Prime Minister with Kuchipudi and Dhimsa dance performances representing Andhra Pradesh’s cultural traditions. Modi is scheduled to inspect the airport facilities, formally inaugurate the complex and unveil a commemorative plaque.
Following the inauguration, the Prime Minister is expected to travel in an open-top vehicle to the venue of a public meeting. State ministers, including Vangalapudi Anitha, Kondapalli Srinivas, B.C. Janardhana Reddy and Gummidi Sandhya Rani, reviewed security, transport and crowd-management arrangements ahead of the visit.
Officials said measures were being taken to provide secure access to the airport while reducing inconvenience for people attending the public programme. Road connectivity, parking, emergency services and movement of dignitaries are among the areas receiving special attention.
Bhogapuram Airport Opens With Six Million Passenger Capacity
The airport, developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited, is designed to handle six million passengers annually during its first phase. Its capacity can eventually be expanded beyond 40 million passengers a year as traffic increases and additional phases are developed.
The new facility includes a 3,800-metre runway, an integrated passenger terminal, cargo infrastructure and airside systems capable of supporting domestic and international flights. The project also incorporates renewable energy, rainwater harvesting and energy-efficient infrastructure.
An Air India aircraft completed a validation flight at Bhogapuram on January 4, 2026, marking an important step towards operational readiness. The airport has also received key regulatory approvals required for flight operations.
Vizag Region Expected to Gain From New International Gateway
Located near Visakhapatnam, the airport is expected to serve passengers from Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and neighbouring areas of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Improved air connectivity could support tourism, cargo movement, industrial investment, hospitality and business travel across North Coastal Andhra.
The project is expected to reduce pressure on the existing Visakhapatnam airport and offer greater scope for additional domestic and international services. Its inauguration will therefore represent more than the opening of a passenger terminal, positioning Bhogapuram as a potential aviation, logistics and commercial hub for the eastern coast.
