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Introduction

  • Positioned as the "Gateway of the East" to enhance regional and global connectivity
  • Expected to drive economic growth, tourism, job creation and regional development
  • 3rd greenfield airport developed by GMR Airports; 7th to be operated by GAL globally
  • Completed ahead of schedule; commercial operations to commence from August 17, 2026
  • Inspired by the form of a flying fish, airport to reflect culture and heritage of Andhra Pradesh

Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, August 1, 2026: Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today inaugurated the Vizag Airport, named Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, located at Bhogapuram, marking a significant milestone in India's aviation infrastructure journey and strengthening Andhra Pradesh's position as a key economic and connectivity hub.

The airport has been developed on 2,200 acres of land by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL), a GMR Aero-led subsidiary, under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis. The airport, completed several months ahead of schedule, will commence commercial operations on August 17, 2026.

Gateway of the East and a Catalyst for Nation Building

Strategically located, the Vizag Airport is envisioned as the Gateway of the East, improving connectivity for northern Andhra Pradesh and its coastal belt, as well as southern Odisha.

With giants like Microsoft, Google, Reliance, and others announcing plans to set up Data Centres near Vizag Airport, Visakhapatnam is all set to become the economic capital of the East. The airport is expected to act as a powerful catalyst for economic growth, tourism, employment generation, and inclusive socio-economic development, directly supporting the Government of India’s vision of Viksit Bharat powered by modern, resilient infrastructure.

Dubbed as a powerful engine of growth, the Vizag Airport will strengthen trade, boost exports, and unlock the immense tourism potential of Andhra Pradesh by enhancing connectivity for people and businesses. The airport is expected to further strengthen Visakhapatnam's emergence as a major economic centre, supported by significant investments in data centres, manufacturing, logistics and technology sectors.

Vizag Airport is the third Greenfield airport developed by GMR Airports Limited (GAL) and the seventh airport to be operated by the Group, after Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa, Medan (Indonesia), Mactan Cebu and Nagpur. It also reinforces GMR's track record of delivering large-scale infrastructure projects efficiently and ahead of schedule.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. G B S Raju, Business Chairman, GMR Airports Limited, said: "Airports are powerful engines of economic growth. The Vizag Airport has been developed with a long-term vision to unlock opportunities in tourism, trade, cargo and aviation-linked industries. We are confident that the Airport will emerge as a major gateway for India's eastern corridor, driving investment, employment and regional prosperity for decades to come."

Mr. I Prabhakar Rao, Deputy Managing Director, GMR Group, said: "The successful completion of Vizag Airport reflects the dedication and expertise of thousands of professionals who worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life. The airport blends modern design, advanced technology and sustainability, creating a world class facility that will serve passengers, businesses and communities for generations."

Mr. SGK Kishore, Executive Director & Chief Innovation Officer, GMR Airports, added: "The Vizag Airport represents the next generation of airport infrastructure in India. Built with a strong focus on technology, sustainability and passenger experience, it combines operational excellence with future-ready capabilities. We are proud to deliver a world-class gateway that will support the region's growth aspirations and strengthen India's aviation ecosystem."

Mr. Kanwarbir Singh Kalra, Chief Executive Officer, GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL), said: "The inauguration of Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport marks the culmination of an extraordinary journey of collaboration, engineering excellence and unwavering commitment from our teams and partners. Built ahead of schedule, the airport has been designed as a future-ready, technology-enabled gateway that offers a seamless passenger experience while supporting the region's growing aspirations in trade, tourism, logistics and investment. As we prepare to commence commercial operations, our focus will remain on delivering world-class operational excellence, safety, sustainability and service standards, making Vizag Airport a preferred gateway for eastern India and a catalyst for Andhra Pradesh's long-term economic growth."

World-Class Infrastructure

The integrated passenger terminal – designed in the shape of a locally found flying fish "Parava meenu" - reflects the culture and heritage of Andhra Pradesh. The 77,342 sq. m. terminal has the initial capacity of 6 million passengers per annum (MPPA), scalable to more than 40 MPPA. The terminal features modern passenger-processing systems, including self-service facilities, e-gates and advanced baggage handling systems. The airport terminal can withstand wind speeds of up to 275 kmph, and the Air Traffic Control tower, up to 295 kmph.

A technology-first approach underpins airport operations through smart airport systems, DigiYatra integration, AI-enabled passenger services and an Airport Predictive Operations Centre (APOC) that provides real-time operational visibility and predictive analytics.

The airport's airside infrastructure includes a 3,800-metre Code 4E runway, parallel taxiway, rapid exit taxiways, 18 aircraft stands and a 55-metre ATC tower, enabling efficient operations and future growth.

Sustainability and Future Development

Sustainability has been embedded into the airport's design through energy-efficient systems, green building standards, natural lighting and a 5 MW solar power plant.

Beyond aviation infrastructure, the development includes a 154-acre Aerocity, a residential township, industrial zone, and Aerospace Hub, creating an integrated ecosystem for business, logistics, training and aerospace-related industries.

With its strategic location, world-class infrastructure and future-ready ecosystem, this airport is poised to become a key growth engine for Andhra Pradesh and a major gateway for eastern India.

Annexure

Vizag Airport (Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, Bhogapuram) – Key Highlights

Future-Ready Airport

  • Initial capacity of 6 MPPA, expandable to 40+ MPPA.
  • Smart airport focused on technology, efficiency and passenger experience.

Technology & Innovation

  • DigiYatra-enabled travel with self-service and self-bag drop facilities.
  • AI-powered Airport Predictive Operations Centre (APOC) for real-time airport management.
  • Smart systems for traffic management, washroom monitoring and trolley tracking.

Resilient Infrastructure

  • Built to withstand severe coastal weather conditions.
  • Terminal designed for wind speeds up to 275 kmph; ATC Tower up to 295 kmph.

Cargo & Logistics

  • 5,000 sq. m cargo terminal with capacity of 25,000 MT annually.
  • Cold-chain facilities for pharmaceuticals, seafood and perishables.

Sustainability

  • Supported by a 5 MW solar power plant.
  • Designed to global green building and energy-efficiency standards.

Beyond an Airport

  • Integrated development comprising 154-acre Aerocity, 139-acre township and 500-acre Aviation Hub to support aviation, MRO, manufacturing and logistics industries

About GMR Airports Limited (Formerly GMR Airports Infrastructure Limited)

GMR Airports Limited (GAL) is a leading global airport platform company with over two decades of experience in designing, constructing, and operating world-class sustainable airports. Under the brand name “GMR AERO”, it offers pioneering aviation solutions in retail, aero services, and real estate. Groupe ADP joined the journey in 2020 as a strategic partner and is now a co-promoter in GAL.

As a platform business, GAL also provides a range of aero services including Duty Free, Retail, F&B, Cargo, Car Parking, O&M, and PMC services. Through its innovative Aerotropolis concept, it develops cutting-edge airport cities giving shape to best-in-class real estate developments in South Asia. GAL operates India's largest third-party Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility through its subsidiary, GMR Air Cargo and Aerospace Engineering Limited ensuring operational excellence across the Asia Pacific region.

GMR Innovex, a GMR Group entity, is developing and introducing a range of digital solutions to enhance the passenger journey and airport experience. Through GMR Aero Academy and GMR School of Aviation, the company is creating the talent pool necessary to drive the growth of the aviation sector in India (the third largest in the world).

As the largest private airport operator in Asia and the second-largest globally, GAL served over 121 million passengers in FY26 with a steadfast commitment to excellence in airport management as reflected in its consistent rankings for services by ACI and Skytrax. With a robust presence in India and Southeast Asia, the company operates key gateways such as Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa, and Medan airports, while extending its technical services to Mactan Cebu International Airport in the Philippines. GAL is also developing transformative projects like the greenfield airports in Bhogapuram (Visakhapatnam), India, and Crete, Greece.

GMR Group, the promoter of GAL, has a significant presence in Energy, Transportation, Urban Infrastructure, and Sports. Through its CSR arm, GMR Varalakshmi Foundation, GMR supports local communities, reflecting its commitment to improving quality of life by enhancing skills, providing education, and developing healthcare infrastructure and services.

Groupe ADP develops and manages airports, including Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly, and Paris-Le Bourget. In 2025, the group handled, through its brand Paris Aéroport, 107 million passengers at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly, and nearly 379 million passengers in airports in France and abroad. Boasting an exceptional geographic location and a major catchment area, the Group is pursuing its strategy of adapting and modernising its terminal facilities and upgrading the quality of services; the Group also intends to develop its retail and real estate businesses. In 2025, group revenue stood at €6,704 million and net income at €382 million.

For further information about GMR Group, visit https://www.gmrgroup.com

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For Further Information, please contact:

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  • Subhendu Ray
  • Sangeetha C R
  • AVP and COE Head-Media Relations
  • AVP Corporate Communications - GHAIL and Adjacencies

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