The Alluri Sitarama Raju (Bhogapuram) International Airport in Andhra Pradesh is set to receive its first trial flight on Sunday, marking a key milestone in the development of one of the state’s most ambitious aviation projects.Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu will fly directly from New Delhi and land at the airport at around 10.15 am as part of the trial operations. Officials said the exercise will involve a comprehensive evaluation of runway performance, air traffic coordination and ground handling systems, which are critical steps ahead of commercial certification.Located in Vizianagaram district, the Bhogapuram airport features a 3.8-km-long runway designed to handle wide-body aircraft, including Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8 types. The runway supports take-offs and landings from both directions and is capable of handling nearly 300 aircraft movements. The project has been executed through international bidding, with an emphasis on advanced technology and global aviation standards.The airport is being developed by the GMR Group, with Larsen & Toubro carrying out the civil works. Under the concession agreement, the private operator will maintain and operate the airport for 40 years. Officials said over 91.7 per cent of construction had been completed by December 2025. Following the trial flight, the Civil Aviation Ministry is expected to hold discussions with airline operators, with commercial operations tentatively planned from June 2026.Named after freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju, the airport is expected to significantly improve air connectivity in north Andhra Pradesh. In the initial phase, the terminal is designed to handle six million passengers annually, scalable up to 18 million in later phases. Facilities will include facial-recognition-based paperless entry, over 10 aerobridges and capacity to handle 2,500 passengers per hour.The project also incorporates sustainability measures such as solar power generation and rainwater recycling, with a target of achieving LEED Gold certification. An Aviation Education City on 136 acres near the airport is also planned to support skill development and employment in the aviation sector.News source: The New Indian Express