Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu announced that the greenfield international airport at Bhogapuram will be operational by June 2026, six months ahead of the initial schedule. The construction, originally set for completion by December 2026, is progressing faster than expected.

Naidu emphasised that the airport will not only rank among India's best but also be one of the finest in the world. He also welcomed the state cabinet's decision to name the airport after Alluri Sitarama Raju, a revolutionary hero in India's freedom struggle.

The Rs 47 billion project, initiated in 2015, had its foundation stone laid by then Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Despite receiving central government approvals in 2016 and acquiring 2,700 acres of land, the project experienced delays, pushing its completion from the original target of 2023. (ET)