AVIATION SHIFT IN NORTH ANDHRA: COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS TRANSITION TO BHOGAPURAM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Scheduled commercial operations conclude at Visakhapatnam Airport's Civil Enclave as the new Greenfield hub assumes the IATA code VTZ

VISAKHAPATNAM, INDIA

A major milestone in North Andhra's infrastructure landscape was achieved as scheduled commercial flight operations officially concluded at the Civil Enclave inside Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega). Commercial air traffic has fully transitioned to the newly built Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, which officially commenced flight operations at 00:01 hours IST.

The operational handover transfers the primary IATA airport code VTZ from the old Visakhapatnam city airport to the modern greenfield facility located in Vizianagaram district. Developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited under a Public-Private Partnership model, the integrated terminal is designed to handle an initial annual capacity of six million passengers, featuring advanced passenger flow management systems, DigiYatra integration, and expanded runway capacity to support long-haul domestic and international routes.

While commercial passenger flights shift to Bhogapuram, non-scheduled commercial operations, defense-related movement, and government VIP flights will continue to utilize the existing Civil Enclave facility at INS Dega. Authorities expect the new greenfield airport to serve as a key economic engine, boosting cargo logistics, regional tourism, and industrial investment across coastal Andhra Pradesh.