Visakhapatnam, Aug 2026: Commercial flight operations are set to begin at the newly developed Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district from midnight on Sunday, marking a major transformation in the region’s aviation infrastructure.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced that commercial operations at the Civil Enclave of Visakhapatnam Airport, also known as INS Dega, will cease from 12.01 a.m. on August 17, following the commissioning of the new Bhogapuram airport.
As part of the transition, airlines operating from Visakhapatnam will shift their commercial services to Bhogapuram. On the first day of operations, 31 flight services are scheduled to connect the airport with major destinations including Hyderabad, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Tirupati.
According to the ministry’s notification, Visakhapatnam Airport will no longer handle regular commercial passenger operations after the new airport becomes operational. However, the existing facility will remain available during national emergencies and for aircraft operated by or for the Indian Air Force, other Armed Forces, police and authorised government agencies. Special government-owned, leased or hired VIP aircraft will also be permitted to use the facility.
The airport’s international air transport code, VTZ, currently associated with Visakhapatnam Airport, will also be transferred to the Bhogapuram International Greenfield Airport from 12.01 a.m. on August 17.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new airport on August 1. Developed at an estimated cost of Rs 4,727 crore, the project has been completed in around 31 months, nearly five months ahead of schedule, making it one of India’s fastest-developed greenfield international airport projects.
The airport has secured its aerodrome licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), along with the necessary safety, fire and environmental clearances required for commercial operations.
In its first phase, Bhogapuram airport is designed to handle approximately six million passengers annually. The master plan envisages a major expansion in the future, with the airport’s capacity eventually expected to reach 40 million passengers annually.
The new facility is expected to become a major economic and transportation hub for northern Andhra Pradesh. Authorities anticipate that it will boost tourism, industrial investment, exports, logistics and regional connectivity while creating new opportunities in the aerospace and defence sectors.
The integrated project covers 2,703.26 acres, including 2,203.32 acres for the airport, 500 acres earmarked for an aviation hub and 136.63 acres allocated for an Aviation University and EduCity. The development includes airside infrastructure, commercial facilities, residential zones and approach roads.
A key feature is its 3,800-metre Code-E runway, which can accommodate wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A330 and Airbus A340.
The airport has also been equipped with modern airfield lighting, navigation systems and advanced CNS/ATM infrastructure, enabling it to support both domestic and international flight operations.
With commercial services now shifting from Visakhapatnam to Bhogapuram, the new airport is expected to significantly strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s connectivity and serve as a gateway for the region’s future economic growth.
