End of an Era: Vizag Airport Ceases Commercial Flights as Operations Shift to the New Bhogapuram International Airport

A significant chapter in Andhra Pradesh’s aviation history closed late Sunday night, making way for a highly anticipated new era. Scheduled commercial flight operations at the Visakhapatnam Civil Enclave (located at INS Dega) officially ceased, with all passenger aviation services transitioning to the newly commissioned Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, effective Monday morning.

The historic shift, mandated by a Ministry of Civil Aviation notification on July 28, transfers the well-known “VTZ” airport code to the new, ultra-modern facility located roughly 40 kilometers north of Visakhapatnam.

An Emotional Goodbye to Vizag Airport

For decades, the Visakhapatnam Civil Enclave served as the primary aviation gateway for the city and the broader North Andhra region, heavily supporting local tourism, trade, and IT expansion. Operating out of the Indian Navy’s INS Dega base, the airport underwent multiple upgrades over the years, including terminal expansions and the introduction of DigiYatra services.

The final scheduled commercial departure from Visakhapatnam was IndiGo flight 6E 2018 to Delhi, which took off at 10:45 PM on Sunday, August 16. The departure was marked by emotional scenes among passengers and longtime airport staff, particularly housekeeping and ground personnel expressing concerns over the massive logistical shift to Bhogapuram.

Authorities from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) clarified that while commercial passenger flights have ended, the Visakhapatnam Civil Enclave will not shut down completely. It will continue to handle non-scheduled general aviation, including private and VIP flights, alongside its core military functions under the Indian Navy.

The Dawn of Bhogapuram: First Flights Take Off

Commercial operations at the ₹5,700 crore Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, developed by the GMR Group, began seamlessly on Monday morning. The state-of-the-art facility was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi just over a fortnight ago on August 1.

The day’s operations commenced with the arrival of IndiGo flight 6E 6408 from Hyderabad, followed shortly by an Air India Express flight from Bengaluru. International connectivity also kicked off immediately:

• IndiGo operated its outbound service (6E 1444) to Abu Dhabi, marking the first international departure by an Indian carrier from the new airport.
• Scoot flight TR 784 from Singapore became the first international carrier to arrive, receiving a grand ceremonial water cannon salute alongside other inaugural flights.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu was present on the ground to flag off the first services, ceremonially handing over boarding passes to passengers.

“This marks the beginning of a new chapter for North Andhra and will open new opportunities for the region,” Naidu stated. Acknowledging the emotional attachment to the old Vizag airport, he added, “Some initial inconvenience is expected at the new airport, but I am confident that people will feel proud after experiencing its world-class facilities.”

A Catalyst for Regional Growth

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu hailed the opening as a historic milestone. “As flights take off from Bhogapuram, so too will the aspirations, dreams, and futures of our young people,” the Chief Minister posted on X.

To ensure smooth connectivity to the new airport, which is located significantly farther from the city center than the old facility, the state government has accelerated several infrastructure projects. Seven major road widening initiatives are underway, and the highly anticipated coastal Beach Corridor project connecting Visakhapatnam directly to the airport has been sanctioned.

Airport Highlights:

• Capacity: Designed to handle 6 million passengers annually in its first phase, with a master plan to expand to 40 million.
• Facilities: Spread over 77,342 square meters, the terminal features 22 check-in counters, 18 self-baggage drops, and seven aerobridges.
• Technology & Design: Equipped with Artificial Intelligence, biometric processing, and Airside 4.0 tech. The roof design is culturally inspired by traditional Chuttilu cottages and the Araku Valley, shaped to resemble a flying fish.
• Runway: A 3,800-meter Code 4E runway capable of handling heavy wide-body aircraft for long-haul international routes and cargo.

Major airlines, including Air India, have confirmed that all their scheduled operations-including their 14 weekly flights between Delhi and Visakhapatnam-have fully transitioned to the new Bhogapuram terminal under the VTZ code.

Get in Touch with India Prime Times

For any updates, queries, or to publish a news article, please reach out to our editorial desk:

• Contact Number: +91 9490056002
• Email ID: info@indiaprimetimes.com
• WhatsApp Us: https://wa.me/919490056002