A New Gateway for North Andhra
The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, located at Bhogapuram in the Vizianagaram district, is a greenfield project designed to be a major aviation hub for North Andhra. The new airport will serve the growing needs of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram,
and Srikakulam districts. Built by the GMR Group in a public-private partnership, the first phase is equipped to handle six million passengers annually. Its modern infrastructure includes a 3,800-metre runway capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft, an integrated terminal for domestic and international passengers, and facilities for cargo and logistics. Officially set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 1, 2026, the airport is poised to significantly boost the region's economy, industrial growth, and tourism.
The Big Switch: What Happens on August 17?
According to a notification from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, all scheduled commercial flight operations will cease at the civil enclave of Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) from 12:01 am on August 17. These operations will simultaneously commence at the new Bhogapuram airport. This means any passenger flight you would have previously taken to or from Visakhapatnam will now operate out of Bhogapuram. Along with the flights, the airport's official IATA code, 'VTZ', will also be transferred to the new facility. The first commercial flight from the new airport is reportedly an international service to Singapore operated by Scoot Airlines on the morning of August 17.
The Future of the Old Vizag Airport
The transfer of commercial flights marks the end of a long chapter for the civil enclave at INS Dega, which has served the region for over seven decades. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has ordered a 30-year closure of scheduled commercial services at the Visakhapatnam civil enclave. However, the airport is not shutting down completely. The INS Dega airbase will remain fully active for military and defence purposes. The notification clarifies that the restriction on commercial flights does not apply to aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force, other armed forces, police, or government VIP aircraft. Furthermore, non-scheduled commercial operations, such as charter services, may continue to operate from INS Dega.
Getting to Bhogapuram: Your New Travel Plan
One of the biggest adjustments for travellers will be the commute. The new airport is located approximately 45 to 60 kilometres from various parts of Visakhapatnam city, a journey that could take between 75 minutes to two hours depending on your starting point and traffic. To facilitate this, significant road widening projects have been undertaken. For public transport, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is introducing a fleet of 20 electric AC buses in the first phase, connecting key city points like Gajuwaka to the airport via two different routes. The estimated fare for these buses is around ₹300 from the city's core. App-based cab services are expected to cost between ₹800 and ₹1,500 for the same journey.
