Commercial flight operations at Visakhapatnam Airport ended on August 16 as scheduled airline services shifted to the new Alluri Sitarama Raju Airport in Bhogapuram. Retaining the VTZ code, the GMR-operated greenfield international hub offers expanded passenger capacity, a 3,800-meter runway, and direct road connectivity via NH-16.
VISAKHAPATNAM / BHOGAPURAM — Scheduled commercial flight operations at the historic Visakhapatnam Airport officially concluded on Sunday night, transitioning all commercial airline traffic to the newly inaugurated Alluri Sitarama Raju Airport in Bhogapuram. The operational transition took effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, August 17, 2026, transferring the standard three-letter IATA code "VTZ" to the greenfield international hub located in Vizianagaram district. The strategic shift relocates scheduled civil aviation out of the naval air base at INS Dega into an expanded international gateway designed to accommodate up to six million passengers annually in its opening phase.
Final Departure and Operational Transition at Visakhapatnam
The final commercial departure from the old Vizag airport civil enclave was IndiGo flight 6E 2018 bound for Delhi, which took off at 10:45 p.m. on Sunday, August 16. The departure brought to a close more than four decades of civilian airline operations at the 350-acre naval airfield.
Following the formal gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, civilian scheduled flights moved 45 kilometers north to the greenfield facility. Commercial operations at the new airport commenced early Monday morning with the arrival of IndiGo flight 6E 6408 from Hyderabad, followed by incoming services from Bengaluru operated by Air India Express.
Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu attended the opening ceremony at Bhogapuram, presenting commemorative boarding passes to departing travelers. While scheduled passenger traffic has moved to Bhogapuram, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed that the existing civil enclave at INS Dega will remain operational for non-scheduled commercial charters, VIP flights, and military operations.
Infrastructure Capacity of Alluri Sitarama Raju Airport
Developed under a public-private partnership model by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL), a subsidiary of GMR Airports, the greenfield airport was constructed at an initial phase cost of approximately ₹4,592 crore.
The new terminal spans 77,342 square meters and features modern digital boarding facilities, including automated baggage handling systems, biometric DigiYatra gates, international immigration counters, and 14 dedicated aircraft parking bays. Its primary airside asset is a 3,800-meter Code-4E asphalt runway (designated 10/28), which enables long-haul wide-body aircraft—such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350—to operate direct intercontinental flights that were technically unfeasible at the older naval airstrip.
The hub also includes a 5,000-square-meter dedicated cargo complex capable of processing 25,000 metric tonnes of freight per year, primarily aimed at supporting regional pharmaceutical, seafood, and agricultural exports.
Travel Guide: How to Reach Bhogapuram from Visakhapatnam
The Alluri Sitarama Raju Airport is located off National Highway 16 (NH-16) in Bhogapuram, approximately 45 to 50 kilometers northeast of central Visakhapatnam and 25 kilometers from Vizianagaram town. Travelers heading to the new facility have several road transport options:
Dedicated Airport Buses (APSRTC): The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation has introduced scheduled point-to-point air-conditioned electric and express feeder buses connecting the airport with key urban nodes, including Dwaraka Bus Station (RTC Complex), Maddilapalem, Gajuwaka, Madhurawada, and Vizianagaram.
National Highway 16 (NH-16): Private vehicles and app-based cabs can travel via the six-lane NH-16 corridor, with average driving times ranging between 50 and 75 minutes from central Visakhapatnam under standard traffic conditions.
Pre-paid Taxis and App-Based Cabs: Commercial taxi aggregators and pre-paid counters operate 24/7 at the ground transportation terminal, with designated pick-up and drop-off zones.
Upcoming Coastal Highway Corridor: The state administration is constructing a dedicated beach express corridor to reduce transit times from the Visakhapatnam port district to Bhogapuram.
Socio-Economic Impact and Regional Logistics
The operational activation of Alluri Sitarama Raju Airport is expected to transform the industrial and tourism landscape of North Andhra Pradesh:
Tourism Growth: Direct flight connections will streamline travel to regional destinations, including Araku Valley, the Buddhist heritage circuits, and the coastal resort corridors.
Trade and Cargo Throughput: Enhanced cargo handling capacity supports regional aquaculture exporters, perishable agro-commodities, and industrial manufacturing clusters across Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam districts.
Real Estate and Commercial Corridors: Infrastructure investments along the NH-16 corridor are expanding residential hubs, hospitality projects, and logistics warehousing between Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram.
Official Sources
Operational transition directives were executed according to gazette notifications issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and directives from the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Security protocols and passenger verification systems are managed under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
Official Statements
"According to civil aviation officials and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the formal transition of scheduled passenger services to the greenfield international airport at Bhogapuram provides modern infrastructure, removes operational constraints associated with naval airfield joint usage, and establishes expanded international air connectivity for Andhra Pradesh."
Why It Matters
The relocation of commercial air operations from the restricted military airfield at Vizag airport to the purpose-built Alluri Sitarama Raju Airport removes physical runway limitations, allowing airlines to introduce direct international long-haul flights. For passengers, it provides modern terminal amenities and digital processing, while the regional economy gains a dedicated logistics platform to accelerate trade and industrial development.
Key Facts at a Glance
Transition Date: August 17, 2026 (12:01 a.m. IST).
New Facility: Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, Bhogapuram (IATA: VTZ).
Former Airport Status: Scheduled commercial operations ended; non-scheduled and military flights continue at INS Dega.
Distance: ~45 kilometers northeast of Visakhapatnam along NH-16.
Passenger Capacity: 6 million travelers per year in Phase 1 (expandable to 40 million).
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the old Visakhapatnam Airport completely closed?
No. Scheduled commercial passenger flights have shifted to Bhogapuram, but the older civil enclave at INS Dega continues to handle non-scheduled commercial flights, private charters, and naval aviation.
Which airport code should passengers look for when booking flights?
The standard IATA airport code "VTZ" has been officially transferred to the new Alluri Sitarama Raju Airport at Bhogapuram.
How can passengers travel from Visakhapatnam city to Bhogapuram?
Passengers can reach the facility via NH-16 using APSRTC air-conditioned feeder buses, pre-paid taxis, app-based cab services, or private vehicles, with travel times averaging 50 to 75 minutes.
Who developed and manages the new Bhogapuram airport?
The airport was developed and is operated by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL) under a public-private partnership concession.
Source: Official regulatory announcements released by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, terminal bulletins from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and concession disclosures published by GMR Group.
