It has finally happened. After more than a decade of anticipation, North Andhra's new gateway is open for business. On Monday, 17 August 2026, the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram began full commercial operations, and in the same moment, the region's beloved old Visakhapatnam airport handed over the baton after flying its last scheduled flight the night before.
This is no longer a story about an upcoming airport or a promised inauguration. It is live, aircraft are landing and taking off, and if you fly to or from Vizag, your airport has officially changed. Here is everything now confirmed, and everything you need to know.
The First Flight, and a Historic Morning
Commercial operations opened in the early hours of Monday. The honour of the first arrival went to an IndiGo flight from Hyderabad, which touched down at around 6:45 AM and was welcomed by GMR representatives, district officials, and airport staff, with passengers handed souvenirs to mark the occasion.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu flagged off the first commercial services and personally handed boarding passes to passengers. Calling it a proud moment, he described the launch as the beginning of a new chapter for North Andhra that would open fresh opportunities for the region. The airport had been formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1 August 2026, with commercial flights following a fortnight later.
Remarkably, the airport did not just start domestic. Its first international service, operated by Scoot, departed for Singapore shortly after operations began, giving the region an international link from day one.
The End of an Era: Vizag's Old Airport Closes
The launch came with an emotional farewell. Scheduled commercial operations at the old Visakhapatnam airport ceased on the night of 16 August. The final flight, IndiGo 6E 2018 to Delhi, took off at 10:45 PM, marking the end of decades of service, with airport staff bidding a heartfelt goodbye to a place many had served for years.
This is the crucial practical point for every traveller: the shift is complete, not partial. The old airport, which operated from the INS Dega naval enclave, will continue to serve Indian Navy and government requirements, but all scheduled passenger flights have moved permanently to Bhogapuram. Importantly, the airport code remains VTZ, carried over from the old airport, so your booking searches do not change even though the location has.
Air India Joins From Day One
Air India confirmed that all its Visakhapatnam flights shifted to Bhogapuram effective 17 August 2026, keeping the VTZ code. To begin with, the airline is operating 14 weekly flights between Bhogapuram and Delhi, offering connections onward to key domestic and international destinations through its hubs. On the inaugural morning, an Air India Express service from Bengaluru followed IndiGo's first arrival, underlining that multiple carriers were flying from the airport right from the start.
If you are booking, the popular domestic routes into and out of the airport now all operate from Bhogapuram, including Delhi to Visakhapatnam flights, Visakhapatnam to Mumbai flights, and Visakhapatnam to Chennai flights. Whichever route you take, the airport code remains VTZ, so nothing changes in how you search.
Inside the New Terminal
The new airport is a significant step up from the constrained old facility. Here is what is now operating.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport (after the freedom fighter) |
| Airport code | VTZ (retained from the old Visakhapatnam airport) |
| Location | Bhogapuram, off NH-16, about 45 km from Visakhapatnam city |
| Developer | GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Ltd |
| Project cost | Around ₹5,700 crore |
| Terminal size | 77,342 square metres |
| Check-in counters | 22 traditional counters + 18 self baggage drop units |
| Aerobridges | 7 |
| Runway | 3,800 m, built for large long-haul aircraft |
| Other | Advanced screening, modern baggage handling systems |
The 3,800 m runway remains the single most important upgrade. The old naval-enclave airport could never properly support large long-haul aircraft. This one can, which is exactly why an international service to Singapore was able to launch on the very first day, something that was simply not possible before.
Getting There: What Travellers Should Plan For
The new airport sits about 45 km from central Visakhapatnam, further out than the old one, so allow more time for your journey. The government has acknowledged that some initial inconvenience is expected in the early days as everyone adjusts, while stressing that connectivity is being rapidly strengthened.
Here is what is happening on access:
- Road upgrades: Seven major road projects have been taken up, including the Sontyam road connecting from the Simhachalam side, along with the widening of several existing roads.
- A new Beach Corridor: A coastal route between Visakhapatnam and the airport has been sanctioned, with works to begin soon, eventually offering a scenic alternative along the coast.
- For now: Plan for a longer transfer than you are used to, leave extra time, and arrange your ground transport in advance, especially for early-morning or late-night flights.
If you are flying in and need somewhere to stay, you can browse hotels in Visakhapatnam across the city. Travellers who prefer to stay closer to the airport will also find a cluster of resorts in and around Bhogapuram itself, handy for early departures or a relaxed start to a coastal trip.
Why This Matters for North Andhra
The Andhra Pradesh government views the roughly ₹5,700 crore Bhogapuram airport not merely as an infrastructure project, but as a transformational one for the region. And the timing could hardly be better. The airport arrives just as Visakhapatnam attracts a wave of major investment, positioning the city as a rising technology and business hub.
A modern international airport is the connective tissue that makes that growth possible. Global companies need their people and partners to fly in and out easily. Investors need a gateway that matches the ambition of a modern hub. With a longer runway, a far larger terminal, international capability from day one, and room to expand, Bhogapuram gives North Andhra exactly that, a genuine gateway to the rest of India and the world.
For the districts of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam in particular, long on the edge of opportunity, this is a rare chance to sit at the centre of it, with ripple effects across tourism, hospitality, real estate, logistics, and jobs.
What You Should Do Now
- Your airport has changed, your code has not. Keep searching flights under VTZ or Visakhapatnam. Bookings now route to Bhogapuram automatically.
- Do not go to the old airport. All scheduled passenger flights now operate from Bhogapuram, about 45 km from the city.
- Leave extra time. The new airport is further out, and the first weeks will involve some adjustment. Arrive earlier than usual.
- Pre-arrange ground transport, particularly for early or late flights, and keep an eye out for the new road routes as they open.
- Watch for new routes. With international capability live from day one, expect the destination list to grow. It is worth tracking fares as new services are announced.
The Bottom Line
After years of waiting, Bhogapuram is real, open, and flying, with domestic and international services from its very first day and a farewell to the old airport that served the region so long. For millions across North Andhra, a world-class gateway is no longer a promise on paper. It is here, and it opens a genuinely exciting new chapter for the region.
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Flight schedules and airport access details are evolving as the new airport scales up. Always verify current flight timings and plan your airport transfer before travelling.
