Bhogapuram Airport to replace Vizag from Aug 17; VTZ code shifts too
Synopsis
Visakhapatnam's decades-old civil enclave is being retired in one move: from 17 August, all commercial flights, the IATA code VTZ, and the airport's identity transfer to the newly named Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram — built in 31 months, ₹4,727 crore, and capable of eventually handling 40 million passengers a year.
Key Takeaways
Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) will cease commercial operations at 00.01 hours on 17 August .
All flights shift to Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, Bhogapuram , in Vizianagaram district .
The IATA code 'VTZ' transfers from Vizag to Bhogapuram simultaneously.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new airport on 1 August .
The airport was built at a cost of nearly ₹4,727 crore and completed in 31 months , five months ahead of schedule.
Phase-one capacity is 6 million passengers annually , with a long-term master plan target of 40 million .
Commercial flight operations at Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) will come to a halt at 00.01 hours on 17 August, with all services transferring to the newly built Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh. The Ministry of Civil Aviation issued a formal notification confirming the transition, marking the end of commercial aviation at the existing Vizag civil enclave after decades of operations.
Key Developments in the Transition
The Ministry's notification specifies that commercial operations at the Civil Enclave at Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) will be suspended for 30 years from the commissioning date, with exceptions carved out for national emergencies, operations by the Indian Air Force, other armed forces, police, and VIP government aircraft. The International Air Transport Association code 'VTZ' — currently assigned to Visakhapatnam Airport — will simultaneously transfer to Bhogapuram Greenfield Airport from the same hour. The Ministry also formally renamed the facility as Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport with immediate effect.
PM Modi to Inaugurate the Airport on 1 August
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the new airport on 1 August, ahead of its commercial launch on 17 August. Built at a cost of nearly ₹4,727 crore, the airport has secured its DGCA aerodrome licence along with all required safety, fire, and environmental clearances. Officials describe Bhogapuram as among the fastest-completed greenfield international airports in India, delivered in 31 months — nearly five months ahead of schedule.
Infrastructure and Capacity
The airport's 3,800-metre Code-E runway is capable of handling wide-body aircraft including the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A330, and Airbus A340. The terminal is equipped with advanced passenger processing systems — contact boarding bridges, Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS), self-baggage drop, self-service kiosks, smart surveillance, and an Integrated Operational Control and Monitoring Centre. The integrated project spans 2,703.26 acres, comprising 2,203.32 acres for the airport, 500 acres for an aviation hub, and 136.63 acres for an Aviation University and EduCity zone.
Passenger Capacity and Economic Impact
In its first phase, the airport is designed to handle 6 million passengers annually, with a master plan to scale capacity to 40 million passengers annually over time. The project is expected to catalyse economic growth, tourism, industrial investment, exports, and logistics across the erstwhile Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam districts. Authorities also project a significant boost to the region's aerospace and defence sectors, given the airport's proximity to existing defence infrastructure. With inauguration days away and the IATA code transfer locked in, Bhogapuram is set to become the primary gateway to coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Point of View
But the real test begins on 17 August: whether airlines scale up routes fast enough to justify a 6-million-capacity terminal from day one, and whether surface connectivity to the new site — further from Visakhapatnam city than INS Dega — keeps passenger convenience intact. The 30-year suspension of commercial ops at INS Dega also raises a longer-term question about the civil-military airspace balance at one of India's strategically sensitive eastern seaboard bases.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will commercial flights shift from Visakhapatnam Airport to Bhogapuram?
Commercial flight operations will shift from Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) to Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram from 00.01 hours on 17 August. The Ministry of Civil Aviation issued a formal notification confirming this transition.
What happens to the IATA code VTZ after the shift?
The IATA code 'VTZ', currently assigned to Visakhapatnam Airport, will transfer to Bhogapuram Greenfield Airport from 00.01 hours on 17 August. Passengers booking tickets after the transition should note that VTZ will refer to the Bhogapuram facility.
Who will inaugurate the new Bhogapuram airport and when?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport on 1 August, ahead of its commercial launch on 17 August. The airport has already received its DGCA aerodrome licence and all required clearances.
How much did Bhogapuram airport cost and how long did it take to build?
The airport was built at a cost of nearly ₹4,727 crore and completed in 31 months, approximately five months ahead of schedule. Officials describe it as one of the fastest-completed greenfield international airports in India.
What is the passenger capacity of the new Bhogapuram airport?
The airport is designed to handle 6 million passengers annually in its first phase. Its master plan envisions expanding capacity to 40 million passengers annually in the future, serving the Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam districts.
