Scheduled commercial flight operations in Visakhapatnam shifted to the new Bhogapuram Airport at approximately midnight on Monday [1], [2].
The transition marks a significant infrastructure upgrade for Andhra Pradesh. By moving commercial traffic away from a naval facility, the region gains a dedicated civilian airport with expanded capacity and modernized facilities [1], [4].
The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation said that all scheduled services at the civil enclave of Visakhapatnam Airport, known as INS Dega, have ceased [1], [2]. The final scheduled service to depart from INS Dega was an IndiGo flight to Delhi, which left at 10:45 p.m. [3].
Operations at the newly built Bhogapuram Airport, also called Alluri Sitarama Raju Airport, began between midnight and 12:01 a.m. on Monday [1], [4]. This shift concludes a long-term transition to move commercial aviation away from the military-managed site.
Government reports said the closure of the civil enclave to scheduled services is part of a broader strategic plan [1]. The move is intended to streamline commercial aviation and reduce the operational burden on the naval base. Reports indicate that the closure to scheduled services is intended to last for 30 years [1].
While scheduled commercial flights have moved, certain non-scheduled or specialized flights may still operate from the INS Dega facility. However, the general public and commercial airlines must now utilize the Bhogapuram facilities for all standard travel needs [3].
“Scheduled commercial flight operations in Visakhapatnam shifted to the new Bhogapuram Airport.”
The relocation of commercial flights to Bhogapuram Airport decouples civilian aviation from military operations at INS Dega. This shift allows the Indian Navy to regain full operational control of the naval air station while providing the city of Visakhapatnam with a scalable, purpose-built airport to support future economic growth and increased passenger traffic.
