Andhra Pradesh Minister for IT and Human Resources Development, N Lokesh, announced the launch of India’s first integrated Aviation, Aerospace and Defence (AAD) EduCity near Bhogapuram International Airport on 16 December, 2025. 

The GMR–MANSAS Aviation EduCity, spread across 136 acres, aims to address the acute shortage of skilled aviation professionals in India and globally, positioning the country as a leading supplier of aviation talent. Minister Lokesh highlighted that the State government is committed to developing core infrastructure at the EduCity within one year. Roadshows will be organized starting February 2026 to attract universities to join the initiative. 

Emphasising the strategic importance of the project, the Minister stated, “India’s aviation story is one of scale and speed, but the real bottleneck is skilled manpower. The GMR–MANSAS Aviation EduCity is our response to that challenge — creating a world-class ecosystem that integrates education, research, industry, and on-the-job training.” The EduCity will serve as a national capability platform, combining education, research, industry collaboration, and practical training for aviation professionals.