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First Validation Flight Lands at Bhogapuram Airport, Clearing Path to Launch

The successful trial advances DGCA licensing toward a planned June 2026 launch.

Overview

  • An Air India A320 from Delhi landed around 11 a.m. with Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu and senior officials on board for commercial validation.
  • The trial assessed runway, navigation and airside systems to meet DGCA requirements, a prerequisite for issuing the aerodrome licence.
  • GMR says construction is about 96–97% complete, with remaining civil and interior work and key access roads still in progress.
  • Authorities are aiming to begin commercial services by June 2026, with some outlets reporting a late-June inauguration subject to final approvals.
  • The airport features a 3.8 km runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft, initial capacity for about six million passengers, a cargo terminal and a planned aviation EduCity.