Commercial flight operations will move from Visakhapatnam Airport to the newly developed Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram from 12:01 a.m. on August 17, 2026, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced. From that date, all scheduled domestic and international passenger flights will operate from the new airport in Vizianagaram district.
INS Dega to Continue Military Operations
The Civil Enclave at INS Dega will stop handling commercial flights after the transition. However, the airbase will continue to operate for the Indian Air Force and remain available during national emergencies. It will also serve aircraft operated by the armed forces, police, and special government VIP flights.
VTZ Code Assigned to the New Airport
The Ministry has confirmed that the IATA code “VTZ,” currently used by Visakhapatnam Airport, will be transferred to the new airport from August 17. In a separate notification, the government officially renamed Bhogapuram Greenfield Airport as Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, with immediate effect.
Inauguration Scheduled for August 1
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the airport on August 1. Developed at a cost of nearly Rs 4,727 crore, the project was completed in 31 months, nearly five months ahead of schedule, making it one of India’s fastest-completed Greenfield international airports. The airport has already secured the DGCA aerodrome license along with all mandatory safety, fire, and environmental clearances required to begin commercial operations.
Capacity and Future Expansion Plans
The first phase has the capacity to handle 6 million passengers annually. The master plan allows expansion to 40 million passengers a year in future phases. Officials expect the airport to strengthen tourism, industrial investment, exports, logistics, and the aerospace and defence sectors across the erstwhile Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam districts.
Modern Infrastructure and Passenger Facilities
The integrated project covers 2,703.26 acres, including:
- 2,203.32 acres for airport infrastructure
- 500 acres for an aviation hub
- 136.63 acres for an Aviation University and EduCity
The airport features a 3,800-meter Code-E runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A330, and Airbus A340. It is equipped with advanced airfield lighting, navigation systems, and CNS/ATM infrastructure to support both domestic and international operations.
Passengers will also have access to modern facilities, including contact boarding bridges, the Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS), self-baggage drop, self-service check-in, smart surveillance, integrated security management, and an Integrated Operational Control and Monitoring Centre.
The launch of Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport marks a new era for Andhra Pradesh’s aviation sector. With flights shifting from Visakhapatnam, the airport is set to boost connectivity, passenger traffic, and regional growth.
Planning an international trip? Indian Eagle helps travelers book affordable international flights with competitive fares from India to destinations worldwide.
| Disclaimer: Indian Eagle claims no credit for the images featured on its blog site. All the visual content is copyrighted to its respective owners only. We mention the source name of the image whenever possible and found. However, if we miss acknowledging the owner’s source, please contact us. In case, owners don’t want us to use their images, we will remove them promptly. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist, and photographer. |
