The Alluri Sitharama Raju Bhogapuram International Airport has secured its aerodrome licence from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, clearing the way for commercial flight operations soon after its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, who reviewed the completed facility along with public representatives, district officials and representatives of GMR Group, said the airport has now achieved full operational readiness.
The Andhra Pradesh government is now awaiting confirmation from the Prime Minister's Office for the formal inauguration, expected by the end of July.
The aerodrome licence was granted following an extensive month-long inspection process to ensure compliance with all prescribed safety and operational standards.
Passenger flight services are expected to commence within a week of the official launch.
The airport has been completed around six months ahead of its original December 2026 target due to coordinated efforts by the Andhra Pradesh government, the Union government, GMR Group and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
Naidu said the facility has been developed to accommodate up to 40 million passengers annually. Beyond passenger services, the airport includes a dedicated cargo terminal capable of handling 20,000 metric tonnes annually.
The government is planning seven dedicated access roads, including a six-lane coastal corridor linking RK Beach in Visakhapatnam with Bhogapuram.
The minister also confirmed that a proposal for a double-decker Metro connection between Visakhapatnam and the airport is currently under examination by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.