The Big Switch: Mark Your Calendars for August 17
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has officially announced that all scheduled commercial flight operations will move from Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) to the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram. The transition is set for 00:01
hours on August 17, 2026. From this moment on, any passenger flight scheduled to or from the region will use the new Bhogapuram facility. The iconic airport code 'VTZ', long associated with Visakhapatnam, will also be transferred to the new airport on the same day. The new airport is scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 1, just ahead of the operational shift.
Why the Move to a New Airport?
The existing Visakhapatnam airport operates as a civil enclave within INS Dega, a premier naval air station of the Indian Navy. This arrangement placed significant restrictions on civilian flight operations, including limitations on flight timings due to military training schedules. The old airport also faced capacity constraints as the city and region grew. The new greenfield airport at Bhogapuram was developed to overcome these challenges, allowing for 24/7 unrestricted flight operations and accommodating larger, wide-body aircraft for long-haul international routes. Built by the GMR Group, the first phase of the ₹4,727-crore project is designed to handle six million passengers annually, with a master plan for future expansion to handle up to 40 million.
Your New Travel Plan: Getting to Bhogapuram
The new airport is located in Bhogapuram, Vizianagaram district, approximately 45 to 55 kilometres from Visakhapatnam city. Travellers will need to plan for longer commute times. A car journey from the city centre to the new airport is estimated to take about 75 minutes, depending on traffic. To ensure smooth connectivity, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is launching dedicated electric AC bus services from August 1. These buses will run on two primary routes, one via National Highway 16 and another along Beach Road, connecting key areas like Gajuwaka and the Visakhapatnam Railway Station to the airport. The estimated bus fare is around ₹300, while a cab ride is expected to cost between ₹800 and ₹1,500.
The Future of the Old Visakhapatnam Airport
With the shift of commercial flights, the civil enclave at INS Dega will cease handling scheduled passenger services for the next 30 years. This decision was part of the original agreement for the new airport project back in 2016. However, the airbase itself will remain fully operational for the Indian Navy and other armed forces. The notification from the ministry includes exceptions for certain types of flights, meaning the old airport can still be used during national emergencies, for police and authorised government agency aircraft, and for specially chartered VIP flights. Non-scheduled flights, such as private charters, may also be permitted to continue operating from the INS Dega facility.
A New Economic Engine for North Andhra
The Bhogapuram airport is envisioned as more than just a transportation hub; it's a catalyst for broad economic development across the Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam districts. The ability to operate larger aircraft and more frequent flights is expected to boost tourism, industrial exports, and logistics. The project is also attracting significant investment in related sectors, with a major hospitality boom already underway. An integrated 'aerocity' is planned adjacent to the airport, which will include facilities for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, as well as an aerospace-focused educational campus, projected to create tens of thousands of jobs.
