Visakhapatnam airport ended commercial operations Sunday,August 16,2026,with IndiGo's flight 6E 2018 to New Delhi marking the end. civil enclave, around since World War II, shut down all scheduled airline flights by 12:01 a.m. Monday,August 17, 2026. All flights now shift to the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram.
Two recent gazette notifications from Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed new airport's opening,while civil operations at INS Dega, ongoing for three decades,will pause. Military operations,national emergencies,and flights carrying dignitaries will still use old airfield. IATA code VTZ shifts to Bhogapuram at same time.
Commercial flights stop at INS Dega. But non-scheduled civil flights and naval aviation continue . Since July 9, Indian Navy has taken full control of Visakhapatnam's restructured airspace. Major shift in region's aviation scene.
The airfield's history goes back to 1941, set up by Royal Air Force. Became an Indian Air Force base in 1942,surviving a Japanese bombing attack. Despite chaos, airfield stood firm,its legacy growing over decades.
Historian John Castellas,with family ties to area, recounted early days of airfield,highlighting its challenges and bravery of personnel. During war, it served various military roles, including paratroop drops and logistical support .
Commercial air travel started there in 1954,and in 1986, it became officially known as INS Dega. Civil aviation grew,especially after a new 10,000-foot runway was built in 2007, allowing night operations and more traffic .
By 2012,airport gained international status, with flights to Dubai and Singapore. Andhra Pradesh Air Travels Association noted passenger traffic surged to 27.84 lakh in 2023-24,peaking at 2.97 lakh in May 2023.
Bhogapuram marks new chapter for Andhra Pradesh air travel. New airport, about 40-48 kilometers from Visakhapatnam,inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 1,2026. Set to boost connectivity,become logistics hub for region.
On last day of operations, passengers and staff shared bittersweet moments at INS Dega. Frequent flyer K. Sridhar felt nostalgic,saying, "I've flown in and out of this terminal for thirty years. Seeing it go is bittersweet. It was compact,accessible,and felt like home." Staff took photos to mark occasion, reflecting on airfield's rich history.
The Airports Authority of India acknowledged Indian Navy's role in civil operations at INS Dega, a partnership continuing for non-scheduled flights. Shift to Bhogapuram seen as necessary to meet growing air travel demand in region.
With scheduled services moving to Bhogapuram, INS Dega's closure to public signals an end. New airport aims to reshape North Coastal Andhra Pradesh's aviation landscape. But how it all unfolds remains to be seen…
