Visakhapatnam Airport to Stop Commercial Flights from 17th August 2026 as Operations Shift to Bhogapuram International Airport

Visakhapatnam Airport will stop handling scheduled commercial passenger flights from 17th August 2026, as all airline operations shift to the newly built Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram. With the IATA code VTZ also transferring to the new facility, it is a significant development for air connectivity for North Andhra while bringing the long-serving civil operations at INS Dega to an end.

Highlights on Bhogapuram Airport

• Commercial Airline Operations to Transition from INS Dega to the New Bhogapuram International Airport

• After serving passengers for decades, Visakhapatnam Airport is set to close a significant chapter in its history.

• From 12:01 a.m. on 17th August 2026, all scheduled commercial passenger flights will operate from the newly developed Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district.

• The Centre has approved the operational shift through a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, paving the way for the new greenfield airport to become North Andhra’s primary commercial aviation hub. 

• As part of the change, the internationally recognised IATA airport code ‘VTZ’ will also be transferred to the Bhogapuram airport from the same date.

• While regular airline services will shift completely, the existing civil enclave at INS Dega will continue supporting military operations and selected non-commercial flights.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Inaugurate Bhogapuram Airport on 1st August 2026

The new airport is scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1st August 2026, with commercial passenger operations beginning just over two weeks later on 17th August 2026.

The new airport is expected to transform air travel across North Andhra by providing modern infrastructure capable of handling increasing passenger traffic, wide-body aircraft and a broader network of international routes.

Why Are Commercial Flights Moving from Visakhapatnam Airport?

The existing Visakhapatnam Airport operates as a civil enclave within INS Dega, the headquarters of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command.

• For many years, civilian and military aircraft have shared the same airfield.

• Although the airport has handled increasing passenger traffic successfully, its dual-use nature has restricted further expansion.

• Limited space and operational constraints made it difficult to significantly increase passenger capacity or introduce major infrastructure upgrades.

To address these limitations, the Andhra Pradesh Government and the Indian Navy agreed to gradually transfer civilian aviation activities to the newly constructed Bhogapuram airport, allowing defence operations at INS Dega to function with greater operational flexibility while giving the region a dedicated commercial airport.

What Will Happen to the Existing Visakhapatnam Airport?

Scheduled commercial passenger flights will stop operating from the current airport from 17th August 2026.

However, the airfield itself will remain operational for several specialised purposes, including:

• Military aircraft operated by the Indian Navy

• Defence-related aviation activities

• Government and VIP flights

• Police operations

• Emergency and disaster response flights

• Non-scheduled commercial charter services

This means the airport will continue serving strategic and government aviation requirements even after commercial airlines relocate.

A Historic Airport That Served Generations of Travellers

Visakhapatnam Airport has played a vital role in the development of air connectivity in eastern India.

• Originally established as a military airstrip during the Second World War, civilian aviation gradually expanded during the 1960s before regular commercial operations became firmly established in the following decade.

• Over the years, the airport underwent several major upgrades.

• A modern integrated passenger terminal enhanced the travel experience, night-flight operations increased operational efficiency, and international connectivity expanded through services to destinations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

• Passenger demand continued to rise steadily.

• Between April 2025 and March 2026, the airport handled nearly thirty lakh passengers, highlighting the growing need for a larger and more advanced aviation facility.

Bhogapuram Airport: India’s New Aviation Gateway for North Andhra

Located around 45 kilometres from central Visakhapatnam near National Highway 16, the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport has been developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited under a public-private partnership.

• Spread across approximately 2,700 acres, the airport has been planned not only as a transportation hub but also as the foundation for a wider aviation ecosystem that includes future commercial development, aviation-related industries and educational infrastructure.

• Completed in just 31 months, nearly five months ahead of schedule, the project ranks among the fastest-developed large greenfield airports in India.

Key Features of the New Bhogapuram International Airport

The airport has been designed to support future growth in both passenger and cargo traffic.

Some of its major features include:

• Runway Length: 3,800 metres

• Aircraft Capacity:: Wide-body aircraft including Boeing 777, Boeing 787, Airbus A330 and Airbus A340 

• Phase One Passenger Capacity: Around 6-6.3 million passengers annually

• Future Expansion: Up to approximately 40 million passengers

• Cargo Handling Capacity: Around 25,000 metric tonnes per year

• Estimated Project Cost: Approximately INR 4,727 crore

• The passenger terminal incorporates several modern technologies, including self-service check-in kiosks, self-baggage drop facilities, Common Use Passenger Processing Systems (CUPPS), advanced security screening and integrated airport operations management.

• Dedicated cold-chain infrastructure within the cargo terminal is also expected to strengthen exports of seafood, pharmaceuticals and other temperature-sensitive products from the region.

• Environmental sustainability has been integrated into the airport’s design from the outset.

• The project includes a 5 MW solar power plant, rainwater harvesting systems, water recycling infrastructure, energy-efficient building systems and green building design targeting LEED Platinum certification 

• Its distinctive architectural design is inspired by the image of a Flying Fish, reflecting Visakhapatnam’s close connection with the Bay of Bengal.

How Will the New Airport Benefit Andhra Pradesh?

The Bhogapuram airport is expected to become a major catalyst for economic growth across Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam.

• The larger runway and modern infrastructure will allow airlines to operate bigger aircraft and potentially introduce more long-haul international routes in the future.

• Improved cargo facilities are also expected to strengthen exports, while enhanced connectivity could support tourism, manufacturing, logistics and industrial investment throughout North Andhra.

• Its strategic location near major highways and Visakhapatnam’s port infrastructure is likely to further improve regional trade and supply-chain efficiency.

Beyond Every Destination Lies the Greatest Journey

The opening of a world-class international airport is a remarkable milestone, making travel faster and bringing people closer than ever before. However, even as humanity reaches new destinations with ease, countless people remain disconnected from the true purpose of life. Modern infrastructure can transform the way we travel, but it cannot answer life’s deepest questions or lead us to lasting peace.

Jagatguru Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj is imparting the true spiritual knowledge preserved in our sacred scriptures, helping humanity understand its real purpose and the path to complete salvation. While airports connect cities and nations, His divine wisdom guides the soul towards its eternal destination – the Supreme God, Kabir Saheb.

To discover the timeless spiritual wisdom revealed by Jagatguru Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj and understand the true purpose of human life, visit www.jagatgururampalji.org