Aviation – Bhogapuram Airport Set to Become Main Air Gateway for North Andhra
Aviation – Civilian flight operations currently managed at Visakhapatnam Airport are set to shift entirely to the upcoming Bhogapuram International Airport once the new facility begins commercial services. According to a recent order issued by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA), commercial passenger flights operating from the naval airfield in Visakhapatnam will be relocated to Bhogapuram, which is expected to serve as the region’s primary aviation hub.
New Tariff Structure Approved for Airport Operations
AERA has cleared an interim tariff mechanism for GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL), the company developing and operating the Bhogapuram airport. The approved charges will take effect from the airport’s Commercial Operation Date (COD) and remain applicable until a regular tariff structure is finalized under the regulatory process.
The authority stated that the temporary pricing framework is intended to support airport operations during the transition period before long-term aeronautical tariffs are established.
Passenger Charges Detailed in Regulatory Order
Under the approved tariff plan, domestic passengers departing from Bhogapuram International Airport will be required to pay a User Development Fee (UDF) of ₹835, while arriving domestic travelers will be charged ₹355.
For international passengers, the UDF has been fixed at ₹1,255 for departures and ₹545 for arrivals. These charges are intended to contribute toward the development and maintenance of airport infrastructure and services.
AERA noted that Bhogapuram International Airport is being developed as a greenfield aviation project with an initial annual handling capacity of approximately six million passengers.
Airport Expected to Strengthen Regional Connectivity
Once operational, the airport is expected to play a significant role in supporting air travel across North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. With the planned transfer of civilian aviation activities from Visakhapatnam, Bhogapuram will emerge as the region’s key commercial aviation gateway.
The project is expected to improve passenger handling capabilities and provide additional opportunities for future expansion as air travel demand continues to grow.
Airlines to Pay Landing and Infrastructure Charges
The regulatory order also outlines charges applicable to airlines using airport facilities. Domestic carriers will pay landing fees of ₹1,400 per metric tonne (MT) based on an aircraft’s maximum take-off weight. International airlines will be charged ₹1,975 per MT.
Apart from landing fees, airlines will also be required to pay for airport systems used in passenger processing and baggage management. Charges for services such as Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE), Common Use Self-Service (CUSS), and Baggage Reconciliation Systems (BRS) have been set at ₹75 per departing domestic passenger and $1.25 per departing international passenger.
Incentives Introduced to Attract More Flight Services
To encourage airlines to expand their operations at Bhogapuram, AERA has approved a special incentive-based landing fee structure.
Airlines increasing flight frequencies on existing routes will pay only 80 percent of the standard landing charge. Operators launching entirely new routes will receive a larger concession, paying just 60 percent of the regular rate.
Additional incentives have been announced for late-night domestic flights. Aircraft arriving between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. will be charged only 25 percent of the normal landing fee. Dedicated cargo aircraft will not be required to pay landing charges under the approved framework.
Parking Benefits and Passenger Exemptions
Aircraft parking will be available free of cost for the first two hours. Beyond that period, parking fees will be charged at ₹19 per MT per hour initially and ₹23 per MT per hour for extended durations.
Certain passenger categories will continue to receive exemptions from the User Development Fee. These include children below two years of age, holders of diplomatic passports, airline crew members on duty, and eligible transit passengers.
Flights operating under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN) will also remain exempt from applicable charges in accordance with existing government regulations.
The regulator emphasized that the approved interim tariffs are designed to ensure a structured operational environment for the airport until the first full tariff review process is completed.