What Exactly Is Happening?
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has officially announced that from 12:01 a.m. on August 17, 2026, all scheduled domestic and international commercial flights will operate from the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram. The existing
airport's civil enclave, located within the Indian Navy's INS Dega air station, will cease handling these flights. Even the IATA code 'VTZ', which travellers associate with Visakhapatnam, will be transferred to the new Bhogapuram airport on the same day. This move marks one of the most significant infrastructure changes for the region in decades.
Why Was This Shift Necessary?
The current Visakhapatnam airport operates as a civil enclave within a naval airbase, which comes with inherent limitations on expansion and operational hours. The phenomenal growth in passenger traffic over the years necessitated a dedicated, world-class airport with the capacity for future growth. The new Bhogapuram airport, built as a greenfield project, is designed to meet this rising demand. Its initial phase can handle six million passengers annually, with a master plan for expansion up to 40 million passengers. This provides airlines with greater operational flexibility and the ability to introduce more flights, including long-haul international services.
Your New Airport: Getting to Bhogapuram
The new airport is located in Bhogapuram, Vizianagaram district, approximately 45 kilometres from Visakhapatnam city and 25 kilometres from Vizianagaram. Travellers will need to plan for a longer commute. To facilitate this, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is introducing 20 dedicated electric buses. Fares are expected to be around ₹300 from Visakhapatnam's core city area, with a journey time of about one hour and 45 minutes. Cab fares are estimated to be between ₹800 and ₹1,500 for the same trip. The new airport boasts modern facilities like self-service check-in, self-baggage drop, and a 3,800-metre runway capable of handling large wide-body aircraft.
The Future of the Old Airport at INS Dega
Following the transition, the civil enclave at INS Dega will be closed to scheduled commercial air services for a period of 30 years. However, the airbase itself will remain fully operational for the Indian Navy and other armed forces. The government notification includes exceptions for military, police, and other special government VIP flights, as well as for any flights during a national emergency. Non-scheduled commercial flights, such as chartered services, may also be permitted to continue operating from INS Dega.
A New Gateway for North Andhra
The Bhogapuram airport is more than just a replacement; it's envisioned as a major economic engine for the entire North Andhra region, encompassing Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam districts. The project, built in a record 31 months at a cost of nearly ₹4,727 crore, is expected to boost tourism, industrial investment, and logistics. Plans are already in motion for an 'Aerocity' featuring IT parks, logistics hubs, hotels, and convention centres. An adjacent aerospace hub is also planned, which is projected to attract significant investment and create tens of thousands of jobs, transforming the region into a major investment destination on India's east coast.
