Visakhapatnam International Airport to End Civilian Operations from July 8 as Flights Shift to Bhogapuram

June 28, 2026

Civilian flight operations at Visakhapatnam International Airport will cease from July 8, marking the end of an era for one of Andhra Pradesh’s busiest airports. From that date, all commercial domestic and international flights will be shifted to the newly developed Bhogapuram International Airport, while the existing airport at INS Dega will continue to function exclusively as a military airbase under the Indian Navy.

The move is part of a long-planned transition aimed at providing world-class aviation infrastructure capable of handling future passenger growth and larger aircraft.

Why Are Civilian Operations Being Stopped?

The existing Visakhapatnam Airport operates as a civil enclave within INS Dega, a naval air station controlled by the Eastern Naval Command. Because the airport primarily serves defence operations, civilian flights have always functioned under operational restrictions, including limited flying slots and periodic disruptions due to military requirements.

With the completion of the greenfield Bhogapuram International Airport, authorities have decided to relocate all civilian air traffic to the new airport, allowing INS Dega to focus entirely on defence operations while providing passengers with a dedicated commercial airport.

Why Bhogapuram Airport Was Built

The Bhogapuram International Airport has been developed to overcome the limitations of the existing airport, including:

Limited expansion space at INS Dega.
Military restrictions affecting civilian flight schedules.
Increasing passenger traffic in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Need for modern infrastructure capable of handling future international connectivity.
Scope for larger terminals, cargo facilities and long-term aviation expansion.

The airport has been designed with an initial capacity to handle around 6 million passengers annually, with provisions for future expansion.

What Changes for Passengers?

From July 8 onward:

All commercial flights will operate from Bhogapuram International Airport.
The airport will retain the VTZ airport code for airline operations.
Passengers travelling to or from Visakhapatnam will need to plan for additional travel time, as Bhogapuram is located about 45–50 km from the city.
State authorities are working on improved road connectivity and public transport to ease access to the new airport.

Concerns Over Connectivity

While the new airport promises better infrastructure, the shift has also raised concerns among residents and frequent flyers.

Passengers have pointed to:

Longer travel time to the airport.
Higher transportation costs.
Ongoing road connectivity projects that are still under development.

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced new road projects and public transport plans to improve access before and after the airport becomes operational.

Strategic Significance

The transition is expected to strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s aviation infrastructure and support tourism, trade and industrial development across the region. A dedicated international airport is also expected to improve connectivity with domestic and overseas destinations while enabling future expansion that was not possible at the existing naval airfield.