GMR Aero-led GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited on Sunday successfully conducted a validation flight at the upcoming Bhogapuram Airport near Visakhapatnam, marking a key milestone ahead of the start of commercial operations.
The validation flight was operated by an Air India aircraft and was carried out in the presence of Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Andhra Pradesh government, and the GMR Group.
According to an official release, the successful flight validated the airport’s airside infrastructure, runway systems, navigational aids, and overall operational readiness in line with regulatory requirements prescribed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The exercise is a critical step towards securing the aerodrome licence and a mandatory prerequisite before commencing commercial flight services.
Addressing the occasion, Naidu described the development as a historic milestone for Andhra Pradesh. He said Bhogapuram Airport would play a pivotal role in positioning Visakhapatnam as the economic capital of the eastern region, driving employment, strengthening trade and exports, boosting tourism, and significantly enhancing regional connectivity for businesses and travellers alike.
