If you’re flying to or from Visakhapatnam, there’s an important change you need to know about. You’ll no longer be flying in and out of the old Visakhapatnam Airport, also known as the INS Dega civil enclave. From August 17, 2026, all scheduled commercial flights have shifted from Vizag Airport to the newly opened Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram. Here’s all you need to know about the move.
Vizag Airport Says Goodbye To Commercial Flights
As of August 17, 2026, all scheduled commercial flights have shifted from the old Vizag Airport to the new Bhogapuram International Airport. The move marks the end of regular commercial operations at the old airport after more than seven decades. So, if you’re flying to or from Vizag, make sure you head to the new Bhogapuram airport instead of the old city airport.
Here’s the interesting bit: the VTZ code isn’t going anywhere! According to Moneycontrol, while the airport itself has changed, the familiar IATA code has been transferred to the new Bhogapuram airport with effect from 12:01 AM on August 17. In simple words, if your flight ticket says VTZ, it now refers to the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, not the old INS Dega airport.
The old airport will no longer handle scheduled commercial flights for the next 30 years, as per the government notification issued when the Bhogapuram project received site clearance. However, the airport will continue to serve military purposes and may also handle certain non-scheduled commercial operations.
The closure does not apply to flights operated by the armed forces, police and other authorised agencies, or certain government and VIP flights. Operations may also continue in cases of national emergencies.
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Airport Staffers Angry Over Uncertain Future
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For passengers, the biggest change is simply the location of the airport. The old airport was located closer to Visakhapatnam city, while Bhogapuram is outside the city. This means flyers will need to factor in additional travel time when heading to the airport.
The new airport, which was inaugurated on August 1, is designed to handle around six million passengers annually and is expected to support the region’s growing air connectivity.
However, not everyone is happy with this move. The shutdown of commercial operations at the old Vizag Airport is also raising concerns for the workers who have been associated with the airport for years. With all scheduled flights moving to the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, employees and other airport-linked workers now face uncertainty over their jobs and future roles. Several visuals circulating online show staffers crying, pleading, and angrily arguing to know about their employment.
Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments.
Cover Image Courtesy: Just Dial & Instagram/vizagaesthetics_
FAQs
Where will Vizag flights operate from now?
All scheduled commercial flights to and from Visakhapatnam will operate from the new airport at Bhogapuram.
What will happen to workers at the old airport?
The shift has raised concerns about the future of workers and other employees associated with the old airport, as regular commercial operations have moved to the new facility.
What will happen to the old Visakhapatnam Airport?
The old airport will continue to have a military role, while regular civilian commercial operations have shifted to Bhogapuram.
