VGF sought for international flights from Bhogapuram
With the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram poised to commence commercial operations next month, the Andhra Pradesh Air Travellers Association (APATA) has urged the State government to extend Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support to airlines and establish direct international connectivity from the greenfield facility.
In a formal representation to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, APATA asserted that the airport’s long-term viability hinges on its capacity to attract international carriers from the very beginning. The association has specifically sought direct air services to Europe, the United Kingdom, the Gulf region and Southeast Asia.
The Bhogapuram airport, once operational, will serve a catchment population of over 1.7 crore across North Coastal Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha, functioning as the region’s first dedicated international gateway, according to APATA president Dr K. Kumar Raja and vice-presidents D.S. Varma and O. Naresh Kumar.
Currently, Visakhapatnam International Airport operates as a civil enclave within the Indian Navy’s INS Dega airbase under the Airports Authority of India. Its sole surviving international service is a direct connection to Singapore via Scoot Airlines, following the suspension of Abu Dhabi services amid the West Asia conflict and the earlier withdrawal of flights to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Colombo by low-cost carriers.
The association argued that robust international connectivity has become imperative as Visakhapatnam emerges as a preferred investment destination. Citing large-scale commitments from Google, Reliance Industries, Sify Technologies, Meta, RMZ Group and AirTrunk in data centres and artificial intelligence, APATA warned that inadequate overseas air links could hamper the State’s capacity to attract foreign direct investment and skilled global talent.
Upcoming industrial projects — including ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India’s ₹1.35 lakh crore steel plant, NTPC Green Energy’s Green Hydrogen Hub and proposed semiconductor and pharmaceutical clusters — are expected to generate substantial international business travel and cargo demand.
APATA has sought direct services to Frankfurt, London, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Colombo, and faster development of ancillary infrastructure, including the proposed Coastal Corridor and improved road access.