Bhogapuram International Airport Starts Operations from August 17 | Vizag Flights Shift to New Airport
Visakhapatnam, August 18, 2026
A new chapter has begun for aviation in Andhra Pradesh as the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram commenced commercial flight operations from August 17, 2026.
The long-awaited greenfield airport has now taken over scheduled civilian air services from the existing Visakhapatnam Airport, marking a major shift in the region’s aviation infrastructure.
From Vizag Airport to Bhogapuram
The transition took place overnight, with scheduled commercial operations at the existing Visakhapatnam Civil Enclave ending before the new airport became operational.
From August 17, passengers travelling to and from Visakhapatnam are now using the Bhogapuram airport. Importantly, the familiar VTZ airport code has been retained, helping airlines and passengers transition without changing the established code used for Visakhapatnam flights.
The first commercial services marked the beginning of operations at the new facility, with the inaugural arrival receiving a traditional water-cannon salute.
Modern infrastructure designed for future growth
The new airport has been developed as a modern greenfield aviation facility, with the first phase designed to handle approximately 6 million passengers annually.
Its terminal spans around 77,342 square metres and includes 22 conventional check-in counters, 18 self-baggage-drop units, advanced passenger screening systems, modern baggage-handling facilities and seven aerobridges.
These facilities are expected to improve passenger processing, boarding and overall airport efficiency compared with the limitations of the former civil enclave.
Airlines shift operations to the new airport
The transition is already visible across airline schedules.
Air India has shifted its Visakhapatnam operations to Bhogapuram from August 17 and will continue to operate 14 weekly flights between Bhogapuram and Delhi, offering connections to several domestic and international destinations through its hubs.
Air India Express has also started operations from the new airport, with services connecting Visakhapatnam with Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Vijayawada. The airline began its Bhogapuram operations with 10 daily flights as part of the initial schedule.
IndiGo has likewise shifted its scheduled Visakhapatnam services to the new airport from August 17.
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Why Bhogapuram matters for Andhra Pradesh
The airport is more than a replacement for the existing Visakhapatnam civilian facility. It is being positioned as a major aviation gateway for North Andhra Pradesh.
Better airport infrastructure and increased capacity could strengthen connectivity for Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and surrounding regions. Improved air connectivity could also support tourism, business travel, investment and regional economic activity.
The airport’s international positioning is particularly significant, with expectations that stronger connections to destinations outside India could further integrate North Andhra with major commercial and tourism centres.
What happens to the old Visakhapatnam Airport?
The shift does not mean the existing facility disappears completely.
The Visakhapatnam Civil Enclave at INS Dega has stopped handling scheduled commercial passenger operations following the transition to Bhogapuram. The facility is expected to continue serving defence-related and other permitted aviation requirements.
This makes August 17 a significant date in the aviation history of Visakhapatnam: the city’s long-standing civilian flight operations moved to an entirely new greenfield airport.
A new beginning for North Andhra
For passengers, the biggest immediate change is simple: Visakhapatnam flights now operate from Bhogapuram.
For Andhra Pradesh, however, the significance is much larger. The new airport provides the infrastructure needed to accommodate future passenger growth and expand air connectivity beyond what the old civil enclave could offer.
With commercial operations now underway, the focus will shift to the next stage — more domestic routes, stronger international connectivity and turning Bhogapuram into a major aviation and economic hub for the region.
The launch of Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport therefore represents not just the opening of a new terminal, but the beginning of a new phase in North Andhra’s connectivity story.
