The Delhi High Court has declined to entertain a petition challenging the cessation of commercial flights at Visakhapatnam Airport, directing the petitioner to approach the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

  • Delhi High Court dismissed the plea citing 'forum non conveniens'.
  • The court ruled that the 'dominant cause of action' resides in Visakhapatnam.
  • Commercial operations at Vizag airport ended on August 16, 2026.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday declined to entertain a legal challenge against the closure of Visakhapatnam Airport to commercial flights. A Bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia observed that the primary grievance and the impact of the decision are centered in Visakhapatnam, making the Andhra Pradesh High Court the appropriate judicial forum.

Legal Arguments and Jurisdictional Concerns

The petitioner's counsel argued that the decision to halt commercial operations at the existing airport was "arbitrary and high-handed." A major point of contention was the forced shift of all commercial activities to the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, located approximately 60 km away from the city. The counsel emphasized that the inconvenience caused by this relocation would primarily affect the residents of Visakhapatnam, not Delhi.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this case highlights a critical intersection of administrative policy and judicial jurisdiction. The court's refusal to intervene underscores the legal principle that legal remedies must be sought in the jurisdiction where the impact is most acutely felt, preventing the clogging of courts in unrelated metropolitan centers.

The court noted that when parts of a cause of action are split between two High Courts, the dominant High Court determines the proper forum.

Scheduled commercial operations at the Visakhapatnam terminal officially ceased on August 16, following the departure of the final IndiGo flight to Delhi. The Union Aviation Ministry had previously announced that commercial operations at the site would be suspended for 30 years to facilitate the transition to the new Bhogapuram facility.

Historical Background & Public Trust

The Visakhapatnam airport has long been a vital link for the region. The petitioner, Gopala Krishna Kosaraju, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) arguing that the 30-year ban is unreasonable given that the Airports Authority of India has invested over ₹250 crore in the existing infrastructure. The plea further claims that rendering this asset idle to provide exclusivity to a new operator violates the Public Trust Doctrine.

Did You Know?: The IATA code 'VTZ', long associated with Visakhapatnam, was officially transferred to the new Bhogapuram airport on August 17.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why did the Delhi High Court refuse to hear the case?
The court applied the principle of 'forum non conveniens', stating that the main cause of action and the affected population are located in Andhra Pradesh.

2. Where will commercial flights now operate?
Commercial flights have been moved to the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram.