The End of an Era at INS Dega
For decades, travellers flying into Visakhapatnam have landed at a civil enclave within the naval air station INS Dega. While it has served the city well, its dual-use nature as a military base has placed limits on expansion and flight schedules. To meet
the region's growing needs, a new, modern gateway was needed. Now, after years of planning and construction, that day is here. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced that all scheduled commercial flights will cease operations at the current airport and move to a brand-new facility. This marks a major shift for anyone travelling to or from the North Andhra region.
Welcome to Bhogapuram's New Airport
The new airport is the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, located at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district. This greenfield project, built by the GMR Group, is a significant infrastructure upgrade, designed to handle six million passengers annually in its first phase alone. The official inauguration is set for August 1, 2026, with all commercial flight operations scheduled to begin at 12:01 AM on August 17, 2026. From this date, if you have a flight to or from Visakhapatnam, you will be using the new Bhogapuram airport.
The Critical Map and App Check
Here is the crucial part for travellers: the new airport is approximately 45 to 55 kilometres away from Visakhapatnam city, a journey that can take over an hour. Many of us have 'Vizag Airport' or 'VTZ' saved as a pin in Google Maps, Apple Maps, or as a preset destination in ride-hailing apps like Ola and Uber. After August 17, that saved location will point to the old, now non-commercial airport. Showing up at INS Dega for your flight will mean a frantic and costly trip to the correct location. To add to the potential confusion, the new Bhogapuram airport will inherit the existing IATA code 'VTZ'. So, simply seeing 'VTZ' on your ticket won't be enough to clarify the location during this transition period.
How to Ensure a Smooth Journey
Avoiding a travel nightmare is simple with a few precautionary steps. First, go into your mapping and ride-hailing apps and delete any saved pins for 'Visakhapatnam Airport'. Before you book a cab or start driving, manually search for 'Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport' or 'Bhogapuram Airport' to ensure you are navigating to the correct place. Double-check your airline's notifications, as they will be updating passengers on the new operating location. Finally, allow for extra travel time. The journey to Bhogapuram will take significantly longer than the trip to the old airport, with cab fares estimated to be between ₹800 and ₹1,500 from the city. APSRTC is also planning electric bus services, which are expected to be a more affordable option.
What Happens to the Old Airport?
With commercial flights moving, the civil enclave at INS Dega will close for scheduled passenger services for a period of 30 years. The airbase itself will continue to be a fully operational naval station for the Indian Navy. It will also handle certain non-scheduled flights, such as military, police, government, and emergency aircraft, but it will no longer be the gateway for the public to the City of Destiny. The long-awaited shift finally gives Visakhapatnam a dedicated civilian airport poised for future growth, including a proposed aerospace hub.
