Air India A320 Completes Historic Validation Flight at Bhogapuram International Airport

January 4, 2026 at 06:10 AM•3 min read

Air India's Airbus A320 successfully completed the first commercial validation flight at Bhogapuram International Airport, marking a crucial step toward the June 2026 opening and

Key Points

1Air India Airbus A320 successfully completed the first commercial validation flight on January 4, 2026, arriving from Delhi.
2The new Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport is 95-97% complete and features a 3.8 km runway capable of handling large aircraft.
3Commercial operations are scheduled to begin by June 2026, with an initial capacity to serve six million passengers annually.
4The airport is expected to be a major economic catalyst for the North Andhra region, boosting investment and tourism.

The Bhogapuram International Airport has reached a major milestone. The first commercial validation flight landed successfully on Sunday, January 4, 2026. This historic event moves the North Andhra aviation sector closer to full operation.

An Air India Airbus A320 aircraft completed the landing. The flight arrived from Delhi. It carried Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu. Senior officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) were also on board. The aircraft received a traditional water cannon salute upon arrival.

Validation and Operational Readiness

The successful landing was a key part of the Air India commercial validation. This trial run is essential for final operational clearance. Regulators assess navigation systems and runway readiness. They also check the airport's overall operational preparedness. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will now review the data. This ensures compliance with all safety and operational standards.

Key Infrastructure Details

The Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport is nearing completion. Officials report that construction is now 95-97% finished. The facility features a new 3.8 km runway. This 3.8 km runway is designed to handle large, wide-bodied aircraft. This capability supports potential long-haul international flights. The airport is being developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL). The project uses a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The first phase is built at an estimated cost of ₹4,727 crore. It is designed to handle six million passengers annually. The airport capacity is expandable to 18 million passengers in later phases.

Regional Economic Impact and Timeline

This new airport is strategically located in the Vizianagaram district. It is approximately 50 km from Visakhapatnam city. The airport is expected to be a major economic engine. It will boost tourism, IT, and pharmaceutical industries in the North Andhra aviation sector. The new connectivity should attract fresh investments to the region.

Commercial operations are expected to begin by June 2026.
Full passenger services are likely to start by August 2026.
The terminal aims for a LEED gold rating and will use facial recognition technology.

Authorities are also working to improve road connectivity. New road corridors will ensure hassle-free travel for passengers. This addresses concerns about the distance from Visakhapatnam. The successful validation flight signals confidence in the project's timeline. This development is a key story in commercial aviation news. For more industry updates, visit flying.flights. The new Greenfield International Airport is set to reshape air travel in Andhra Pradesh.