The Greenfield Airport, Inaugurated on August 1, Will Commence Commercial Operations From August 17

GMR Group expects the newly inaugurated Alluri Sita Ramaraju International Airport at Bhogapuram to reach its designed capacity of six million passengers annually within the next four to five years, driven by rapid economic growth, tourism, and cargo demand in the Visakhapatnam region. The greenfield airport, inaugurated on August 1, will commence commercial operations from August 17. I. Prabhakar Rao, Deputy Managing Director, GMR Group, told businessline that the Visakhapatnam region is developing rapidly and has tremendous potential for passenger traffic due to industrial growth, tourism, and cargo. The second phase of expansion will begin once passenger traffic hits five million, with the airport designed to scale up to 40 million over the coming decades.

Rao said all flight operations from the existing Visakhapatnam airport will be seamlessly shifted to the new facility, which is expected to attract domestic and international travellers from North Andhra who currently use other airports for overseas connections. The region holds significant cargo export potential, particularly in pharmaceuticals and toys. The airport aims to become a logistics hub with a 5,000-sq.-m cargo terminal capable of handling 25,000 tonnes annually, including dedicated cold-chain infrastructure for exports of pharmaceuticals, seafood, and perishables.

Built with an initial capacity of six million passengers a year—double the region's current traffic of around three million—the airport features an AI-driven Airport Predictive Operations Control Centre that forecasts passenger and cargo flows and optimises functions in real time. "From operational planning to facilities management, including washroom maintenance, the airport uses advanced digital systems, Rao added. The terminal can withstand wind speeds up to 275 kmph, and the ATC tower up to 295 kmph.

Airside infrastructure includes a 3,800-metre Code 4E runway, parallel taxiway, rapid exit taxiways, 18 aircraft stands, and a 55-metre ATC tower. Sustainability measures include a 5-MW solar power plant and adherence to green building standards. The project also includes a 154-acre Aerocity, 139-acre residential township, and a 500-acre Aviation Hub for MRO, manufacturing, and logistics."