Visakhapatnam, Aug 17: A new chapter has begun for air travel in the Visakhapatnam region with the start of scheduled commercial operations at Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram. From Monday, airlines serving Visakhapatnam have shifted their scheduled operations to the new airport, bringing modern passenger facilities and the potential for stronger domestic and international connectivity.
Pic Credit: Pexel
Air India has moved all its Visakhapatnam services to Bhogapuram and will continue to operate 14 weekly flights to Delhi. Through its Delhi hub, passengers will have access to a wider network of domestic and international destinations. The airport will retain the familiar VTZ code, making the transition easier for passengers and travel operators.
The new airport is expected to make journeys more comfortable and efficient. Its terminal, spread across 77,342 square metres, has 22 check-in counters, 18 self-baggage drop units, modern passenger-screening systems, upgraded baggage-handling facilities and seven aerobridges. These facilities are designed to make everything from check-in to boarding smoother for travellers.
For Visakhapatnam, the change is about more than simply moving flights from one airport to another. Better aviation infrastructure can make the city and surrounding region more accessible to tourists, business travellers and visitors coming for cultural or family trips.
Visakhapatnam’s coastline, beaches and nearby attractions have long made it a popular destination in Andhra Pradesh. Easier and more comfortable air travel could encourage more visitors to explore the city and other parts of the region. A growing flow of tourists can also benefit hotels, restaurants, local transport operators, tour companies and small businesses.
The new airport is equally important for business connectivity. Regular links with Delhi and other major cities can make it easier for companies, professionals and investors to travel to the region. As more airlines and routes are added, Bhogapuram could gradually emerge as an important aviation gateway for northern Andhra Pradesh.
The transition also marks the end of an era for Visakhapatnam’s existing airport, which handled scheduled commercial flights for more than four decades. The last scheduled commercial service departed on August 16, while the VTZ code moved to Bhogapuram from August 17. Non-scheduled commercial operations can continue at the old airport.
For travellers, the immediate priority will be getting used to the new airport’s location and planning their journeys accordingly. The new facility is about 50 km from the previous airport, so passengers will need to allow additional time for road travel to and from Bhogapuram.
With modern infrastructure now in place, the focus is expected to shift towards expanding flight options and building stronger connections. If connectivity continues to grow, Bhogapuram could play a key role in supporting tourism, trade, investment and economic growth across Visakhapatnam and the wider Andhra Pradesh region.
The airport’s opening therefore represents not just a new starting point for flights, but a larger opportunity to make the region easier to reach and better connected with the rest of India and the world.
