In 2025, the mobility sector witnessed a convergence of traditional heavy infrastructure (airports, ports) and futuristic transport modes (eVTOLs), driven by a race for connectivity between the Telugu states.
The Airport Boom
Bhogapuram International Airport (AP): This greenfield project in Andhra Pradesh emerged as a model of rapid infrastructure execution. By September 13, 2025, Union Minister K. Rammohan Naidu confirmed that 86% of the construction was complete, with the 3,800-meter runway and terminal building taking final shape. Scheduled for commissioning in June 2026, this airport is designed to handle 4.5 million passengers initially. Critically, it is being integrated with a 6-lane beach corridor and a proposed metro link, creating a seamless logistics spine for the Northern Andhra region.
Telangana’s Decentralization: In contrast to AP’s focus on a single mega-hub, Telangana advanced plans for four regional airports: Peddapalli, Mahbubnagar, Nizamabad, and Kothagudem. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) completed pre-feasibility studies for the Peddapalli site in 2025. These airports are strategic assets designed to support the state’s dispersed industrial policy, providing air connectivity to district-level manufacturing and mining hubs.
The Dawn of Urban Air Mobility (eVTOL)
Perhaps the most futuristic development of 2025 was the entry of Sarla Aviation into the Indian market. On November 18, 2025, the company signed a massive ₹1,300 crore MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government to establish a “Sky Factory” in Anantapur. This facility is envisioned as a “giga campus” for manufacturing electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
The “Shunya” Aircraft: Sarla’s prototype, “Shunya,” is a six-seater hybrid-electric air taxi designed for urban hops. It features seven electric motors and a range of 150 km (extendable to 800 km with sustainable fuel). While the manufacturing base is planned for Andhra Pradesh (capitalizing on land availability), the R&D and flight testing continued in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, leveraging the aerospace talent pool of the region. This development signals India’s intent to be a manufacturer, not just a consumer, of next-generation urban air mobility solutions.
Sustainable Aviation and Global Trends
The global aviation industry’s push for decarbonization resonated in India. The year 2025 saw significant milestones in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). DHL Express signed a landmark deal with Phillips 66 in November 2025 to procure 240,000 metric tons of SAF, setting a benchmark for logistics carriers. In India, the operationalization of green hydrogen plants is seen as a precursor to producing indigenous SAF (Power-to-Liquid fuels), essential for the country to meet ICAO’s CORSIA mandates.
Maritime Logistics: Port Records
The maritime sector saw robust growth. Adani Gangavaram Port in Visakhapatnam set a new operational record in August 2025 by handling 66 vessels in a single month, demonstrating the efficiency of its deep-draft berths. Meanwhile, the Ramayapatnam Port in AP reached 67% completion by June 2025, with Phase 1 on track for mid-2026 commissioning. These ports are not just transit points but are becoming integral to the “Blue Economy,” serving as hubs for energy imports and industrial exports.
AVIATION & URBAN AIR MOBILITY
January 2025
🔹 Telangana
- January 2025: At Bharat Mobility Global Expo, Sarla Aviation unveiled “Shunya” – India’s first six-seat hybrid-electric eVTOL prototype with seven electric motors, 150 km range (extendable to 800 km with sustainable fuel)
July 2025
🔹 Andhra Pradesh
- July 2025: AP expanded civil aviation with new direct flights between Kurnool and Vijayawada (from Delhi), raising air connectivity by ~15%. Plans announced for new airports in Bhogapuram, Nellore, Anantapur, and Kuppam
September 2025
🔹 Andhra Pradesh
- September 13: Union Minister confirmed Bhogapuram International Airport 86% complete – 3,800-meter runway and terminal nearing completion. June 2026 commissioning scheduled with 4.5 million passenger capacity, integrated with 6-lane beach corridor and proposed metro link
November 2025
🔹 Global
- November 2025: DHL Express signed deal for 240,000 metric tons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with Phillips 66 – benchmark for logistics carriers
🔹 Andhra Pradesh
- November 18: Sarla Aviation signed ₹1,300 crore MoU with AP government for “Sky Factory” in Anantapur – giga campus for eVTOL aircraft manufacturing.
– Raghunath
