Indian Commercial Flights Begin Operations at Newly Built Bhogapuram International Airport

Commercial flight operations have officially commenced at the newly constructed Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport located in Bhogapuram, Andhra Pradesh. Built to relieve air traffic congestion and expand regional aviation logistics, the modern greenfield airport serves domestic and international passengers traveling to and from Visakhapatnam and surrounding industrial hubs. The functional rollout of passenger terminals marks a key economic milestone for East Coast freight corridors, trade connectivity, and regional tourism. A Historic Transition for Andhra Pradesh Aviation In a major milestone for southern India's aviation infrastructure, scheduled commercial passenger flight operations have officially commenced at the newly constructed Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram. Developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited at a cost of approximately ₹4,592 crore, the greenfield airport serves as the primary air gateway for the Visakhapatnam metropolitan region and northern coastal Andhra Pradesh. The transition marks the official end of regular commercial passenger flights at the legacy Visakhapatnam airport's civil enclave inside INS Dega, with all major domestic carriers shifting their scheduled services to the modern Bhogapuram facility. Designed to handle an initial capacity of six million passengers annually in its first phase, the international hub features an expansive single-terminal layout and a 3,800-meter asphalt runway capable of receiving wide-body long-haul aircraft. Inaugurated following rigorous validation flights and civil aviation security clearances, the greenfield project reached operational readiness months ahead of its original construction timeline. Operational Seamlessness and Passenger Infrastructure To ensure a seamless transition for travelers, the IATA airport code VTZ was officially transferred from the old city airport to Bhogapuram, ensuring that existing booking systems and airline itineraries reflect the new operational site without ticketing disruption. Airlines including IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express have fully transferred their daily flight networks, connecting coastal Andhra Pradesh directly to key domestic hubs like Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Vijayawada. Water cannon salutes greeted incoming inaugural flights as airport ground handlers and passenger operations teams initiated full-scale terminal operations. Located off National Highway 16, the greenfield facility offers advanced non-aeronautical amenities, expanded baggage handling networks, and integrated multi-modal transport access to ease long-distance commutes for passengers traveling across the region. While scheduled civil flights have moved entirely to Bhogapuram, the legacy airfield at INS Dega will remain operational for naval operations and non-scheduled civil flights. Catalyzing Regional Growth and Connectivity The operational launch of Bhogapuram International Airport establishes a powerful engine for regional industrial expansion, international cargo logistics, and tourism development across Andhra Pradesh. Built under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, the infrastructure is engineered to scale its terminal capacity up to 40 million passengers annually across future expansion phases. Local government officials and commerce chambers anticipate that the dedicated cargo processing zones at the new airport will significantly boost pharmaceutical, seafood, and manufacturing exports from the Visakhapatnam industrial belt. Furthermore, adjacent commercial development projects and improved highway connections are expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities. As airlines prepare to evaluate future international routes from the facility, the successful inauguration of Bhogapuram signals a new era for India's rapidly growing civil aviation ecosystem.