Vizag’s new international airport opens, creating a fresh travel-retail footfall hub

GMR-operated Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Visakhapatnam has begun domestic and international commercial operations. The airport starts with capacity for 6 million passengers annually, with phased expansion planned beyond 40 million—opening a new long-term opportunity for F&B, duty-free, convenience and services retailers.

— Source published Mon, 17 Aug, 2026, 15:39 IST · First seen Mon, 17 Aug, 2026, 15:46 IST · Source ET Small Business

What happened

GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport · GMR-operated Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Visakhapatnam began commercial domestic and international

Key facts

  • 52 air traffic movements on first day
  • 6 million initial annual passenger capacity
  • more than 40 million planned annual passenger capacity
  • 3,800-metre Code 4E runway

Why this matters

Assess partnerships, concessions or acquisitions tied to GMR’s Vizag airport ecosystem now, while the asset’s retail tenant mix and commercial infrastructure are still being established.