The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport has officially taken over all scheduled flights from INS Dega. While passengers praise the world-class infrastructure, the increased travel time from the city center remains a talking point.
- Commercial operations began August 17, 2026, replacing the INS Dega civil enclave.
- First flights operated by IndiGo (from Hyderabad) and Air India Express (from Bengaluru).
- The airport spans 2,200 acres with an initial phase capacity of 6 million passengers annually.
The aviation landscape of Andhra Pradesh witnessed a historic shift on Monday, August 17, 2026, as the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram officially commenced commercial operations. Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu flagged off the first set of flights, marking the closure of the civil enclave at INS Dega to commercial airlines at midnight.
The transition began early in the morning with the arrival of IndiGo flight 6E 6408 from Hyderabad at 6:45 a.m., followed by Air India Express flight IX 2064 from Bengaluru at 7:30 a.m. The first departure, an Air India Express flight to Hyderabad, took off at 8:50 a.m. The new terminal has immediately garnered praise for its sophistication and scale, with passengers noting that the interiors meet international standards, providing a stark contrast to the previous facility.
The Commute Challenge
Despite the excitement, the distance from Visakhapatnam city remains a significant factor. Passengers reported that the journey from areas like Siripuram can take up to 50 minutes even during low-traffic hours. Regular commuters have expressed concerns that the Anandapuram stretch could push travel times beyond an hour during peak daylight hours, adding a logistical layer to the luxury of the new terminal.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the shift to Bhogapuram is not merely a change in location but a strategic upgrade in regional capacity. By moving away from a naval base (INS Dega), the city now possesses a dedicated civilian aviation hub capable of scaling to international destinations. This removes the operational constraints previously imposed by military security and limited runway capacity, potentially turning North Andhra into a major logistics and tourism gateway.
The transition to Bhogapuram represents a leap from a constrained military enclave to a scalable international gateway, fundamentally altering the economic trajectory of the region.
The airport, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 1, is built on approximately 2,200 acres. The first phase is designed to handle six million passengers per year, featuring state-of-the-art digitized systems combined with traditional Indian hospitality, including live music and cultural welcomes for arriving passengers.
| Feature | Old Airport (INS Dega) | New Airport (Bhogapuram) |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | Limited Civil Enclave | World-class International Terminal |
| Capacity | Constrained | 6 Million Passengers (Phase 1) |
| Travel Time | ~20 Minutes from City | 50-70 Minutes from City |
| Land Area | Shared Military Space | 2,200 Acres Dedicated |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How can passengers reach the new Bhogapuram airport from the city?
Passengers can use RTC e-buses for approximately ₹300 or private cabs ranging from ₹800 to ₹1,500.
Q2: Will there be international flights from Bhogapuram?
Yes, the airport is designed as an international facility, and officials have indicated that foreign destinations will be connected shortly.
