Bhogapuram Airport launches flights from Aug 17, Vizag ops shut
Synopsis
After a ₹4,727 crore build completed five months ahead of schedule, Bhogapuram's Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport takes over all civilian air traffic from Visakhapatnam from 17 August — with 31 flights on day one and a long-term vision of handling 40 million passengers a year.
Key Takeaways
Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, Bhogapuram begins commercial operations from 12.01 a.m. on 17 August 2025 .
31 flights are scheduled on day one to cities including Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Tirupati .
The IATA code 'VTZ' is transferred from Visakhapatnam Airport to Bhogapuram with immediate effect.
Built at ₹4,727 crore and completed in 31 months — roughly five months ahead of schedule .
Phase-one capacity stands at 6 million passengers annually , with a master plan target of 40 million .
The 3,800-metre runway can handle wide-body jets including the Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 .
The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram district, will begin full commercial flight operations from 12.01 a.m. on 17 August 2025, marking a decisive shift in air connectivity for the region. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has confirmed that all commercial services at the existing Civil Enclave at Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) will simultaneously cease, with the IATA code 'VTZ' transferred to the new Bhogapuram facility from the same timestamp.
Day-One Operations
On its inaugural day of commercial service, 31 flights are scheduled to operate from Bhogapuram to major destinations including Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Tirupati. All airlines previously serving Visakhapatnam Airport have shifted their operations to the new facility ahead of the cutover.
What Happens to Visakhapatnam Airport
According to the ministry's notification, the Civil Enclave at INS Dega will remain operational only under exceptional circumstances — national emergencies, flights by the Indian Air Force or other armed forces, police operations, or the transportation of dignitaries by special government-owned, leased, or hired VIP aircraft. For all civilian purposes, Bhogapuram is now the region's primary airport.
Infrastructure and Capacity
Built at a cost of nearly ₹4,727 crore, Bhogapuram is among the fastest-completed Greenfield international airports in India, delivered in just 31 months — approximately five months ahead of schedule. The airport has secured its DGCA aerodrome licence along with all required safety, fire, and environmental clearances.
The facility is designed to handle 6 million passengers annually in its first phase, with a master plan to scale capacity to 40 million passengers per year. Its 3,800-metre Code-E runway is capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft including the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A330, and Airbus A340. Advanced airfield lighting, navigation aids, and CNS/ATM infrastructure support both domestic and international operations.
Scale of the Project
The integrated development spans 2,703.26 acres — comprising 2,203.32 acres for the airport core, 500 acres for an aviation hub, and 136.63 acres for an Aviation University and EduCity. The project also includes commercial development, residential zones, and approach roads.
Economic and Regional Impact
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport on 1 August 2025. The project is expected to boost economic growth, tourism, industrial investment, exports, logistics, and the aerospace and defence sectors across the erstwhile Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam districts. Notably, the new airport consolidates connectivity for a tri-district catchment area that was previously underserved relative to its industrial and strategic significance.
With commercial operations now live, the focus shifts to how quickly airlines expand route networks from Bhogapuram and whether the projected passenger ramp-up matches the airport's ambitious long-term capacity blueprint.
Point of View
But the harder test begins now: whether passenger volumes justify the ₹4,727 crore outlay and the aggressive 40-million-capacity master plan. The transfer of INS Dega's civilian enclave also raises a quiet strategic question — consolidating civilian and defence airspace management at a new site near a sensitive coastline warrants scrutiny that the celebratory coverage has largely skipped. The tri-district catchment is industrially significant, but airline route expansion beyond the seven initial cities will determine whether Bhogapuram becomes a genuine regional hub or a well-built airport waiting for demand to catch up.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When do commercial flights start from Bhogapuram Airport?
Commercial flight operations at Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, Bhogapuram, begin from 12.01 a.m. on 17 August 2025. This is the same moment civilian operations at Visakhapatnam Airport's Civil Enclave officially cease.
How many flights will operate from Bhogapuram on the first day?
A total of 31 flights are scheduled on the inaugural day of commercial operations, connecting Bhogapuram to Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Tirupati.
What happens to Visakhapatnam Airport after Bhogapuram opens?
The Civil Enclave at Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) will close for all civilian commercial operations. It will remain available only for national emergencies, Indian Air Force and armed forces flights, police operations, and VIP government aircraft.
How much did Bhogapuram Airport cost and who built it?
The airport was built at a cost of nearly ₹4,727 crore and completed in 31 months — approximately five months ahead of the original schedule — making it one of the fastest-completed Greenfield international airports in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it on 1 August 2025.
What is the passenger capacity of Bhogapuram Airport?
In its first phase, Bhogapuram Airport is designed to handle 6 million passengers annually. The master plan envisages expanding this to 40 million passengers per year in future phases.
