Overview
- An Air India aircraft carrying Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu landed around 11:10 a.m. and received a water‑cannon welcome.
- The 3.8‑km runway was used for the trial as authorities evaluated navigation and operations with DGCA and AAI officials present.
- GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited says about 96% of works are complete, with commercial operations targeted for June 2026.
- The new facility is designed for an initial six million passengers a year, with plans for cargo handling of about 20,000 tonnes and multiple immigration counters.
- Officials pitch Bhogapuram as a solution to Navy‑controlled slot limits at Visakhapatnam, though access‑road delays and the 50‑km trip from the city remain concerns.