Visakhapatnam Airport Closed: Official Shift to Amazing New 44 KM Airport
Visakhapatnam Airport closed to scheduled commercial flights this week, ending decades of service to the city as operations shifted to the newly built Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram. Here’s what happened, why the move took place, and what it means for passengers and airport staff.
What Happened to Visakhapatnam Airport?
Visakhapatnam Airport’s last scheduled commercial flight, IndiGo 6E 2018 to Delhi, departed around 10:45 AM on Sunday, August 16, 2026. From August 17, 2026, all scheduled commercial operations officially transitioned to the new Bhogapuram facility. The ‘VTZ’ airport code, long associated with Visakhapatnam, has now been transferred to the new airport, meaning tickets will still show VTZ even though flights now depart from a different location.
Why Was Visakhapatnam Airport Closed for Commercial Flights?
The Visakhapatnam Airport closure is part of a planned shift toward the larger Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, built specifically to give the region a bigger, more modern aviation hub as air travel demand around Visakhapatnam continues to grow. The old airport, which had served the city for well over six decades, was seen as increasingly limited for handling that growth.
Is Visakhapatnam Airport Fully Closed?
Not entirely, despite headlines describing Visakhapatnam Airport as closed. While scheduled commercial passenger flights have stopped, the facility continues to function as a key military air base for the Indian Navy’s INS Dega. The Airports Authority of India is also expected to keep coordinating with the Navy to support non-scheduled civil aviation activity at the site going forward.
About the New Bhogapuram Airport
The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 1, 2026. On its very first operational day, it handled 31 flights connecting seven cities. The new facility sits around 44 kilometres from Visakhapatnam city, meaning passengers now need to budget extra travel time compared to the old, more centrally located airport.
What About Airport Staff?
The Visakhapatnam Airport closure hasn’t been smooth for everyone involved. With Visakhapatnam Airport closed to scheduled commercial flights, housekeeping staff at the site have reported going unpaid for 15 days, and said neither management nor the relevant authorities had responded to their concerns. Visuals circulating online reportedly showed staffers visibly distressed, seeking clarity on their employment status as operations wound down. No specific redeployment or compensation plan for affected workers had been announced as of the latest reports.
How Are Passengers Getting to the New Airport?
To help ease the transition, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) introduced dedicated airport bus services between Visakhapatnam and Bhogapuram, priced between Rs. 100 and Rs. 400, running from 4 AM to 10 AM.
Not the First Major Airport Shift This Year
Airports across India have been going through significant changes this year, our coverage of the Flybrary airports initiative looks at a very different kind of change, focused on passenger experience rather than infrastructure relocation.
AAI’s Busy Year
The Airports Authority of India has had a packed year on multiple fronts, our coverage of the AAI Recruitment 2026 Junior Executive drive looks at the organisation’s parallel push to expand its workforce even as it manages transitions like this one. For official updates, the Airports Authority of India remains the primary source.
What Happens Next
With scheduled flights now fully shifted to Bhogapuram, attention is likely to turn toward how quickly passengers adapt to the new airport’s location, and whether the concerns raised by Visakhapatnam Airport’s former staff get addressed in the weeks ahead.
For more national news and infrastructure updates, check out our National section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Visakhapatnam Airport closed permanently?
No. Visakhapatnam Airport closed only to scheduled commercial flights, while it continues to serve as a military air base and may still host non-scheduled civil aviation activity.
Why was Visakhapatnam Airport closed?
Scheduled commercial flights were shifted to the newly built Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, part of a plan to give the region a larger aviation hub.
Is Visakhapatnam Airport completely shut down?
No. It continues to operate as a military air base for the Indian Navy’s INS Dega, and non-scheduled civil aviation activity may still take place there.
When did Visakhapatnam Airport stop commercial flights?
The last scheduled commercial flight departed around 10:45 AM on August 16, 2026, with operations officially shifting to Bhogapuram from August 17, 2026.
How far is the new Bhogapuram airport from Visakhapatnam city?
The new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport is located around 44 kilometres from Visakhapatnam city.
How can passengers travel to the new airport?
APSRTC has introduced dedicated bus services between Visakhapatnam and Bhogapuram, priced between Rs. 100 and Rs. 400, running from 4 AM to 10 AM.