Commercial air services for Visakhapatnam relocate to Bhogapuram
Scheduled commercial flights serving Visakhapatnam began operating from the newly opened Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram from 17 August 2026, ending decades of regular passenger services at the Visakhapatnam Civil Enclave, industry reports said.
The handover took effect at 12.01 am on August 17, according to reporting that detailed the final scheduled departure from the old airport: IndiGo flight 6E 2018 to Delhi departed at 10.45 pm on August 16 as the last scheduled commercial service from the Visakhapatnam facility.
Operational start, inaugural events and airline moves
The new airport welcomed its first scheduled arrival on August 17 when an IndiGo service arrived from Hyderabad, followed by an Air India Express flight from Bengaluru, the reports said. The transition followed the formal inauguration of the airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 1, 2026.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu marked the start of commercial operations by handing boarding passes to passengers and flagging off the first commercial service, the reports said.
Air India announced that it had commenced operations from Bhogapuram and would operate 14 weekly flights between Bhogapuram and Delhi, while retaining network connectivity through its hubs, the airline said in a press statement reported by one outlet.
Terminal facilities and passenger handling
The new terminal is described in reporting as a modern facility built to increase passenger comfort and operational efficiency. Key features reported include:
- Terminal area: 77,342 sq m
- Traditional check-in counters: 22
- Self Baggage Drop units: 18
- Aerobridges: 7
- Advanced screening and baggage-handling systems to improve turnaround and passenger experience
One report said the airport would support expanded domestic and international connectivity for North Andhra, including potential growth in passenger volumes and air cargo capacity.
| Feature | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Terminal area | 77,342 sq m |
| Check-in counters | 22 (traditional) |
| Self bag drop | 18 units |
| Aerobridges | 7 |
| Airline launch | Air India 14 weekly flights to Delhi (reported) |
What changes for Visakhapatnam travellers and the old airport
From midnight on August 17, passengers using scheduled domestic and international services must use Bhogapuram, the reporting said. The transition places the VTZ regional aviation hub at Bhogapuram, with the new facility handling commercial passenger operations.
The reports noted that the move does not render the old Visakhapatnam airport entirely defunct: while scheduled commercial passenger flights have shifted, the civil enclave is expected to continue a role in general aviation, according to reporting.
Local stakeholders have framed the change as opening a new chapter for connectivity in North Andhra. The larger terminal, modern systems and additional aircraft parking and handling capacity at Bhogapuram are being positioned as enablers for more routes, improved cargo facilities and potential economic activity linked to tourism and investment.
Airlines, passengers and cargo operators will now adjust to ground transport links and schedules aligned with the new location. Reporting did not provide details on last-mile transport arrangements, parking capacity or specific slot allocations for additional carriers, nor did it quantify employment changes tied to the relocation.
Officials and airlines will be observed in coming weeks for announcements on route expansion, frequency changes and passenger facilitation measures as the new airport settles into regular operations.
