# Bhogapuram Airport begins commercial operations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bhogapuram-airport-inauguration-india > Updated: 2026-08-16T20:48:24.000Z. Sources: 56. Developments: 10. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, Vizianagaram district, on 1 August 2026. The greenfield facility, built under a public‑private partnership by GMR Group at a cost exceeding ₹5,600 crore, includes a 3,800‑metre runway, a passenger terminal designed for about six million travelers a year, and a cargo terminal with a 25,000‑tonne capacity. The airport will adopt the international code “VTZ”. Prior to the opening, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu met with the Prime Minister to formalize the invitation and announced a program to provide free air travel to farmers who donated land for the project. The inauguration ceremony featured a mass performance of the tribal Dhimsa dance by more than 13,000 women, setting a Guinness World Record. This display drew criticism from retired IAS officer P. V. Ramesh, who argued the sacred ritual was being used as a “political spectacle”. Political tension has emerged regarding the project’s origins; while the current coalition emphasizes its recent completion, former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of the YSRCP claimed his administration handled critical land acquisition and financing. Commercial operations officially commenced at midnight on 17 August 2026, following the final scheduled flight from the old Visakhapatnam Airport. Inaugural services included IndiGo flights from Hyderabad and Air India Express services from Bengaluru. While passengers reported a smooth transition to the modern terminal, the shift has caused significant concern among approximately 800 outsourced airport workers. These employees have raised issues regarding job security, unpaid salaries, and a lack of communication from management regarding their future employment. The old Visakhapatnam Airport will continue to support defense, police, VIP, and general aviation operations. ## Claims - The airport was built under a public‑private partnership at a cost of more than ₹5,600 crore. (corroborated by 17 sources) - The airport is designed to handle about six million passengers annually. (corroborated by 17 sources) - Development projects worth about ₹18,000 crore were launched at the Bhogapuram site. (corroborated by 15 sources) - Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport on 1 August 2026. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Commercial flight operations are scheduled to begin on August 17, 2026, with the first international flight to Singapore. (corroborated by 13 sources) - The terminal incorporates AI, BIM, biometric processing and automated baggage handling. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Around 13,500–15,000 tribal women performed the Dhimsa dance, aiming for a Guinness World Record. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The airport includes a cargo terminal with an annual handling capacity of 25,000 metric tonnes. (corroborated by 8 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-16: Bhogapuram Airport begins commercial operations in Visakhapatnam Commercial flight operations for Visakhapatnam have moved to the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram, while the old airport transitions to general aviation and defense use. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/visakhapatnam-airport-operations-shift-to-new-international-facility ### 2026-08-14: Bhogapuram airport to begin commercial operations on August 17 Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram will begin commercial operations on August 17, shifting passenger services from Visakhapatnam to the new facility to boost regional economic growth. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bhogapuram-airport-to-begin-commercial-operations-on-august-17 ### 2026-08-03: Bhogapuram Airport inauguration draws record Dhimsa dance, sparks cultural criticism and political credit fight Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Bhogapuram Airport with a Guinness‑record Dhimsa dance, prompting criticism from a retired IAS officer over cultural misuse, while the state minister praised Chief Min N 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bhogapuram-airport-inauguration-draws-record-dhimsa-dance-sparks-cultural-criticism-and-political-cr ### 2026-08-01: Bhogapuram International Airport inaugurated in Andhra Pradesh Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Bhogapuram International Airport’s terminal in Andhra Pradesh, a GMR‑built hub expected to boost regional connectivity, investment and jobs. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bhogapuram-international-airport-inaugurated-in-andhra-pradesh ### 2026-07-31: Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport Inaugurated by PM Modi, Opening New Hub in Andhra Pradesh PM Narendra Modi opened the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Andhra Pradesh on 1 Aug 2026. Built for >₹5,600 crore, it will handle 6 M passengers, start flights on 17 Aug, and includes AI tech, a 5 44 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pm-narendra-modi-to-inaugurate-bhogapuram-airport-in-andhra-pradesh ### 2026-07-29: Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Andhra Pradesh to Open August 1, Flights Shift August 17 India's new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport opens Aug 1, shifting flights from Visakhapatnam on Aug 17; political dispute over credit for the project. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/alluri-sitarama-raju-international-airport-in-andhra-pradesh-to-open-august-1-flights-shift-august-1 ### 2026-07-23: India readies Alluri Sitarama Raju Airport for Prime Minister Modi's inauguration Officials in Andhra Pradesh finalize security, logistics and cultural preparations for PM Narendra Modi's August 1 inauguration of the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-readies-alluri-sitarama-raju-airport-for-prime-minister-modis-inauguration ### 2026-07-23: Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu asks PM Modi to open Bhogapuram International Airport Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu invited PM Modi to inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram on 1 August 2026, highlighting its regional importance and introducing MP Kalisetti Appalanaidu 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/andhra-pradesh-cm-naidu-asks-pm-modi-to-open-bhogapuram-international-airport ### 2026-07-21: Prime Minister Modi to Inaugurate Bhogapuram International Airport in Andhra Pradesh PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate Bhogapuram International Airport on Aug 1, as Andhra Pradesh’s CM honors donating farmers with free air travel and discusses agriculture, irrigation and metro projects. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/prime-minister-modi-to-inaugurate-bhogapuram-international-airport-in-andhra-pradesh ### 2026-07-18: Bhogapuram International Airport to be Inaugurated by PM Modi on Aug 1 PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate Bhogapuram International Airport in Andhra Pradesh on Aug 1, a project hailed by CM N. Chandrababu Naidu as a historic milestone and catalyst for regional economic growth. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bhogapuram-international-airport-to-be-inaugurated-by-pm-modi-on-aug-1 --- Cite as: Bhogapuram Airport begins commercial operations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bhogapuram-airport-inauguration-india