The Ministry of Civil Aviation has notified that all scheduled commercial flight operations will shift from the civil enclave at Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) to the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram from 00:01 hours on August 17, 2026. The international aerodrome code VTZ will move to the new airport on the same date.

Under the notification issued by Joint Secretary Asangba Chuba Ao, August 17 is the cutoff for scheduled commercial air services at INS Dega, and passenger carriers are to relocate to Bhogapuram.

The transition follows the inauguration of the ₹4,727-crore greenfield airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 1. Built by the GMR Group under a public-private partnership in 31 months, the Code E airport can handle six million passengers a year in its first phase.

30-year closure at INS Dega

The Ministry has ordered a 30-year closure of scheduled commercial services at the Visakhapatnam civil enclave, once operations begin at Bhogapuram. The order carves out exceptions: aircraft of the Indian Air Force and the other armed forces, the police and other such authorities, flights at times of national emergency, and government-owned, leased or hired VIP aircraft carrying dignitaries. Non-scheduled commercial flights may continue from INS Dega.

What the region expects

Spread over 2,700 acres, with provision for an aviation hub and an educational zone, the Bhogapuram airport is expected to change the region’s logistics. Trade bodies expect the shift to lift industrial growth, exports and tourism across Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.

Published - July 29, 2026 04:10 pm IST