India's Ministry of Civil Aviation: Vizag flights shift to Bhogapuram from August 17

The Civil Aviation Ministry has notified the cutoff at 00:01 hours on August 17; military, police, emergency and VIP flights are exempt from the 30-year closure at INS Dega, and non-scheduled commercial flights may continue there

Published: July 29, 2026 04:10 pm IST – VISAKHAPATNAM By: V. Kamalakara Rao

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has notified that all scheduled commercial flight operations will shift from the civil enclave at Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) to the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram from 00:01 hours on August 17, 2026. The international aerodrome code VTZ will move to the new airport on the same date.

Under the notification issued by Joint Secretary Asangba Chuba Ao, August 17 is the cutoff for scheduled commercial air services at INS Dega, and passenger carriers are to relocate to Bhogapuram.

The transition follows the inauguration of the ₹4,727-crore greenfield airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 1. Built by the GMR Group under a public-private partnership in 31 months, the Code E airport can handle six million passengers per year in its first phase.

30-Year Closure at INS Dega

The Ministry has ordered a 30-year closure of scheduled commercial services at the Visakhapatnam civil enclave once operations begin at Bhogapuram. The order carves out the following exceptions:

• Aircraft of the Indian Air Force and other armed forces
• Police and other such authorities
• Flights during times of national emergency
• Government-owned, leased or hired VIP aircraft carrying dignitaries

Non-scheduled commercial flights may continue from INS Dega.

What the Region Expects

Spread over 2,700 acres, with provision for an aviation hub and an educational zone, the Bhogapuram airport is expected to change the region’s logistics. Trade bodies expect the shift to lift industrial growth, exports and tourism across Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.