2 weeks ago
Bhogapuram Airport Takes Over as Vizag Flights End
A new airport is opening in Bhogapuram, Andhra Pradesh, India.
It is called the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport.
It will start letting people fly on August 17, 2026.
The old airport in Visakhapatnam has stopped its regular passenger flights.
The last flight from the old airport was an IndiGo plane going to Delhi on Sunday night.
The new airport is about 50 kilometers away from the city of Visakhapatnam.
That means city residents will have to travel farther to catch a plane.
The old airport will still be used, but only for defence, police, important guests and special flights.
Visakhapatnam's airport was first built as a military airstrip in 1941 during World War II.
It began civil flights in 1962, and regular services returned in 1981.
Now the new airport is taking over passenger flights for the region.
Visakhapatnam Airport ended its scheduled commercial flight operations ahead of the opening of Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram on Monday.
The last scheduled commercial flight from Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) was IndiGo flight 6E 2018 to Delhi, departing at 10.45 pm on Sunday.
Scheduled commercial operations at the new Bhogapuram airport begin at 12.01 am on August 17, with the IATA code VTZ transferred from Visakhapatnam.
The new airport is around 50 km from Visakhapatnam, meaning the port city loses its in-city airport.
The existing Visakhapatnam airport will continue to serve defence, police, VIP movements and unscheduled special flights, while non-scheduled commercial operations may continue.
- Who
- Aviation officials and passengers in Andhra Pradesh, with the IATA code VTZ being transferred from Visakhapatnam airport.
- What
- Commercial operations begin at the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram, replacing Visakhapatnam airport for scheduled passenger services.
- Where
- Bhogapuram, Andhra Pradesh, around 50 km from Visakhapatnam.
- When
- August 17, 2026, with the VTZ code transfer effective at 12:01 am.
- Why
- To shift scheduled commercial passenger services to a new airport while the old Visakhapatnam airport continues defence, police, VIP and special-flight duties.
Key facts
- Airport name
- Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport
- Location
- Bhogapuram, Andhra Pradesh
- Operations start
- August 17, 2026
- IATA code
- VTZ (transferred from Visakhapatnam at 12:01 am on August 17)
- Last scheduled flight from Vizag
- IndiGo flight 6E 2018 to Delhi, departing 10.45 pm Sunday
- Distance from Visakhapatnam
- Around 50 km
- Old airport role
- Defence, police, VIP movements and unscheduled special flights; non-scheduled commercial operations may continue
- Old airport history
- Airstrip built 1941; civil aviation 1962; regular operations resumed 1981; new terminal 2009
Quotes
N Purushottam
Director of Visakhapatnam Airport
“Visakhapatnam Airport has reached an important milestone with the conclusion of its scheduled commercial operations, and we sincerely acknowledge the contribution of every employee, stakeholder and partner who supported the airport’s operations and passenger services over the years.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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