Visakhapatnam Airport has officially ceased its scheduled commercial flight operations as of Sunday. This marks the end of an important era in the region’s civil aviation history. The services are now transitioning to the newly inaugurated Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, which begins operations today.
Authorities however, clarified that the Visakhapatnam Civil Enclave will not become completely inactive. The shift follows a July 28 notificationn by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The final commercial flight from Visakhapatnam was IndiGo flight 6E 2018 to Delhi, which departed at 10.45 pm on Sunday, formally marking the end of commercial aviation services at the airport.
Commercial operations at the Civil Enclave at Visakhapatnam Airport, located at INS Dega, will cease once Bhogapuram airport becomes operational, according to the notification. The airport code “VTZ” will also be transferred to Bhogapuram, it said. Non-scheduled commercial operations to continue at the facility, they said.
For decades, Visakhapatnam airport served as a key aviation gateway for the city and the wider Andhra Pradesh region connecting it to major domestic destinations and supporting tourism, trade and economic activity. Over the years, the airport underwent multiple upgrades, including expansion of terminal and aircraft parking facilities, improvements in security and passenger-processing infrastructure, the introduction of DigiYatra services, accessibility initiatives and sustainability measures. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) acknowledged the contributions of airlines, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), ground-handling agencies, regulatory authorities, concessionaires and other stakeholders in ensuring the airport’s safe and efficient operations. It also expressed appreciation for the Indian Navy for its continued support in facilitating civil aviation operations at INS Dega.
AAI said coordination among stakeholders would continue to be important as non-scheduled operations remain at Visakhapatnam and commercial aviation activity shifts to Bhogapuram.
Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport to Become Key Flight Hub in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is set to enhance its air connectivity with the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport poised to become the primary hub for scheduled commercial flights in the region. This transition signifies a pivotal development in the area’s aviation landscape, aiming to improve accessibility and encourage economic growth.
