In a landmark move for India's aviation sector, the nation's first dedicated Aviation EduCity has been formally launched in Visakhapatnam, promising to transform North Coastal Andhra Pradesh into a hub for skilled aviation professionals. The project, a collaboration between the GMR Group and the Mansas Trust, was inaugurated with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday.
A Historic MoU for a Transformative Project
The signing ceremony was graced by key dignitaries including Goa Governor and Mansas Trust Chairman, Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, and Andhra Pradesh's IT and Human Resources Minister Nara Lokesh. The Mansas Trust has provided the land for this ambitious venture, which is set to be developed on approximately 136 acres at Annavaram in Bheemili mandal, strategically located near the upcoming Bhogapuram international airport.
Union Minister Rammohan Naidu hailed the event as a historic moment for the region. He highlighted the area's shift from a history of backwardness and migration to a new trajectory of development, with Visakhapatnam gaining global attention. Naidu provided critical industry context, noting that India currently operates about 800 aircraft and has orders for an additional 1,700. He emphasized that each new aircraft creates nearly 100 job opportunities, underscoring the massive demand for trained personnel. In a related update, he announced that the Bhogapuram airport, initially slated for a June 2026 launch, is now expected to be operational by May 2026.
Building a World-Class Aviation Ecosystem
The primary objective of the Aviation EduCity is to establish a national capability platform to tackle the acute shortage of skilled aviation professionals both in India and abroad. The vision is to position India as a leading global supplier of aviation talent. Minister Nara Lokesh pointed out that while India's aviation growth is rapid, the key constraint is the availability of trained human capital.
"The Aviation EduCity aims to create a world-class ecosystem that brings together education, research, industry, and practical training under one roof," Lokesh stated. He outlined an ambitious state vision: to ensure that at least 25 percent of the global civil aviation workforce is Telugu. He clarified that this initiative is not merely about establishing another university but about building a comprehensive ecosystem that produces job-ready professionals, fosters advanced research, and develops skills benchmarked against global standards.
Local Impact and Global Inspiration
Goa Governor Ashok Gajapathi Raju expressed his pleasure in collaborating with the GMR Group for this project. He envisioned that an aviation hub in North Andhra, combined with institutions like ISRO in South Andhra, would create a strong and complete technological ecosystem for the state. "A modern, skill-based aviation education and training centre in the region would enable local youth to find high-quality employment without having to migrate elsewhere," he remarked, highlighting the project's potential for regional socio-economic transformation.
Officials revealed that the EduCity's design draws inspiration from successful global aviation clusters like Aero Montreal in Canada, the Washington-Seattle Aerospace Cluster in the USA, and Aerospace Valley in France. To facilitate rapid setup, the EduCity will offer a mix of plug-and-play academic infrastructure and build-to-suit campuses, making it easier for foreign universities and industry partners to establish operations.
The project also acknowledges the contributions of Vizianagaram MLA Aditi Gajapathi Raju, with Lokesh noting that their efforts will shape India's aviation future for decades to come. This first-of-its-kind Aviation EduCity in Visakhapatnam marks a significant leap towards making India self-reliant in aviation talent and catalyzing development in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
