Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu inspected the Alluri Sitharama Raju Bhogapuram International Airport and announced that it has achieved 100 per cent completion with the issuance of an aerodrome licence by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The announcement followed an inspection with public representatives, district officials and GMR Group representatives. The licence was granted after extensive verification over the past month. The minister indicated that the Chief Minister's Office has contacted the Prime Minister's Office to finalise the inauguration date and that commercial flight operations will commence within a week of inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the verification had ensured that all safety and operational standards were met prior to licensing. The airport project was originally targeted for completion by December 2026 but was finished six months ahead of schedule through joint efforts by the State Government, the Union Government, the GMR Group and the Airports Authority of India. Officials described the facility as a major economic driver for North Andhra and said it has been designed to handle up to 40 million passengers annually. The terminal building, inspired by the shape of a flying fish, was presented as a reflection of the culture and heritage of north coastal Andhra Pradesh. The complex also includes a cargo terminal with a capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes (20,000 t) to support exports from the region's aqua, pharmaceutical, mango and agricultural sectors. The cargo facility was highlighted as integral to boosting regional exports. On connectivity, seven traffic-free approach roads are being planned, including a six-lane coastal corridor to link RK Beach in Visakhapatnam with Bhogapuram. Officials added that a proposal for a double-decker Metro link from Visakhapatnam is under consideration by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and that improved links would support passenger and cargo movements.