Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, located at Bhogapuram near Visakhapatnam, marking a major development in the region’s aviation infrastructure. The new airport, developed on 2,200 acres of land by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL), a subsidiary of GMR Aero, was completed several months ahead of schedule under a public-private partnership (PPP) using a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model.

Commercial operations at the facility are set to begin on August 17, 2026. Strategically positioned to serve northern Andhra Pradesh, its coastal belt, and southern Odisha, the airport aims to enhance connectivity in eastern India significantly. It has been designated as the "Gateway of the East" to symbolize its role in linking this important economic corridor to domestic and international markets.

The airport’s launch coincides with plans by major technology and industry players, including Microsoft, Google, and Reliance, to establish data centers in the vicinity, underscoring Visakhapatnam’s emerging status as an economic hub for the eastern region. Officials expect the airport to stimulate economic growth by facilitating trade and export opportunities, promoting tourism, and generating employment.

Government representatives have highlighted the airport’s role in advancing the broader national agenda for infrastructure modernization and development under the "Viksit Bharat" vision, which emphasizes resilient and inclusive socioeconomic growth. By improving access for passengers and cargo alike, the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport is projected to support the sustained development of Andhra Pradesh and its neighboring areas, reinforcing their connections to broader domestic and global markets.