Bhogapuram airport to start operations from Aug 17, all Vizag flights to shift
The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram will commence commercial operations on August 17, marking a major upgrade to aviation infrastructure for Visakhapatnam and North Andhra Pradesh.
From August 17, all scheduled domestic and international passenger services to and from Visakhapatnam will operate from the new airport. It will operate under the VTZ IATA code currently used by Visakhapatnam airport.
The new facility is expected to significantly increase the region’s air traffic capacity and improve connectivity to key domestic and international destinations. It is also expected to boost tourism, trade, investment, business travel and cargo movement across North Andhra.
Developed and operated by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Ltd. (GVIAL) under a public-private partnership model, the airport has been built with advanced technology and provision for future expansion.
In the first phase, the airport will handle 6 million passengers per year. Capacity is planned to be scaled up to over 40 million passengers annually in later phases.
The 77,342 sq metre integrated terminal houses check-in counters, security screening, immigration, baggage handling and boarding areas. Passenger processing will be faster with DigiYatra, e-gates and self-service systems in place.
On the airside, the airport has a 3,800-metre Code 4E runway, a parallel taxiway, rapid-exit taxiways and 18 aircraft parking bays. The facilities will accommodate airlines shifting operations from the existing Visakhapatnam airport while supporting future growth in passenger and aircraft movements.
The airport will also run on smart systems and AI-enabled services. An Airport Predictive Operations Centre (APOC) will provide real-time data and predictive analytics to coordinate operations and aid decision-making.
The terminal’s design reflects the region’s coastal identity, drawing inspiration from the ‘Parava Meenu’, or flying fish found along the Andhra coast. With all scheduled passenger operations moving to Bhogapuram on August 17, the airport will become the principal aviation gateway for Visakhapatnam and adjoining districts.
Officials said its commissioning is a key infrastructure milestone for North Andhra Pradesh, adding capacity and connectivity to support the region’s economic growth.