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What every passenger travelling to or from Visakhapatnam (VTZ) needs to know
There is an important change for passengers travelling to or from Visakhapatnam (VTZ).
From 17 August 2026, all scheduled commercial passenger flights serving Visakhapatnam will operate from the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram.
The existing Civil Enclave at Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) will no longer handle scheduled commercial passenger flights. The airport code VTZ will remain the same and will transfer to Bhogapuram Airport.
This means passengers may have a ticket that says:
Visakhapatnam (VTZ)
but the actual airport they need to travel to is now:
Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, Bhogapuram.
✈️ Do I need to change my existing ticket?
No — normally, you do NOT need to change your ticket just because it says VTZ.
This is very important.
If you already have a confirmed flight to or from VTZ for travel on or after 17 August 2026, the airport code remains VTZ.
The airport location behind that code has changed from the old Visakhapatnam Civil Enclave to the new Bhogapuram airport.
Airlines are transferring their scheduled commercial operations to Bhogapuram. For example, Scoot has specifically advised passengers that its Visakhapatnam flights will operate from Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport from 17 August 2026.
Before travelling, however:
Passengers should check their latest airline booking confirmation, airline app, email or SMS for the latest airport information.
Do not rely only on the word “Visakhapatnam” on the ticket.
Look for:
VTZ – Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport / Bhogapuram
📍 How far is Bhogapuram Airport from Visakhapatnam?
The new airport is approximately 50 km from Visakhapatnam city centre.
This is considerably farther than the old airport, which was much closer to the city.
Therefore, passengers should allow additional road-travel time when going to the airport.
Do not leave home at the same time you would have used for the old Visakhapatnam airport.
🚨 What if a passenger accidentally goes to the old Visakhapatnam Airport?
This is one of the most important points.
From 17 August 2026, scheduled commercial flights will no longer operate from the old Civil Enclave at INS Dega.
If a passenger mistakenly goes to the old airport, they could potentially miss their flight.
Will the airline automatically reschedule the passenger?
Do not assume that it will.
If the passenger has simply gone to the wrong airport and missed the flight, the airline may treat the passenger as a no-show, depending on the circumstances and the airline's fare rules.
In that situation, a free change, refund or automatic transfer to another flight should not be assumed.
The passenger should contact the airline or their travel agent immediately.
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💰 Will the passenger get a refund if they go to the wrong airport?
Again, there is no general guarantee of a refund simply because the passenger went to the old airport by mistake.
The outcome can depend on:
- The airline
- The fare type
- The ticket conditions
- Whether the airline provided an airport-change notification
- Whether the passenger contacted the airline before departure
- Whether the passenger was recorded as a no-show
- The circumstances surrounding the missed flight
Therefore, passengers should not wait until after the scheduled departure time.
If you realise your mistake before the flight departs
Contact the airline/travel agent immediately.
Explain that you have mistakenly gone to the old airport and ask whether the airline can:
- Hold the booking temporarily
- Move you to another flight
- Waive the change/no-show fee
- Offer a same-day rebooking
- Provide any goodwill assistance
Any waiver or special arrangement is ultimately subject to the airline's policy and its decision.
old Vizag airport (INS Dega) is not completely closed, but scheduled commercial passenger flights — both domestic and international — will stop there from 17 August 2026.
The distinction is important:
- ✈️ Domestic scheduled flights: No, they will move to Bhogapuram from 17 August.
- 🌍 International scheduled flights: No, they will also operate from Bhogapuram.
- 🛩️ Non-scheduled/private/charter operations: These can continue at the old Civil Enclave.
- 🇮🇳 Indian Navy/Armed Forces, police, government/VIP and certain other exempted operations: can continue using the existing INS Dega facility.
So for an ordinary passenger:
From 17 August 2026, if your ticket is VTZ, you should go to Bhogapuram — Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport.
The VTZ airport code moves to Bhogapuram, so your ticket may still simply say “Visakhapatnam (VTZ)”.
📢 What if the airline did not properly notify the passenger?
This is different.
Indian DGCA passenger-protection rules provide certain remedies where an airline cancels a flight and fails to give the required notice. In specified cancellation circumstances, passengers can be offered an alternative flight or refund, and additional provisions can apply where passengers were not properly informed.
However, the airport's planned relocation is not automatically the same thing as an airline cancellation.
Therefore, passengers should not assume that the DGCA cancellation-refund provisions automatically mean they can obtain a refund because they travelled to the old airport.
If an airline failed to communicate a relevant operational change, the passenger should raise the issue with the airline and, where appropriate, seek advice regarding their passenger rights.
🧳 Special advice for passengers arriving into Visakhapatnam
The same applies to passengers arriving at VTZ.
If your ticket says:
VTZ – Visakhapatnam
and your arrival date is 17 August 2026 or later, you should arrange your onward transportation from Bhogapuram Airport, not from the old Visakhapatnam airport.
If somebody is coming to collect you, make sure they know that you will arrive at Bhogapuram.
If you have booked:
- Taxi
- Hotel transfer
- Car rental
- Bus
- Family pickup
please check the pickup location carefully.
🚌 Allow extra travel time
Because Bhogapuram is approximately 50 km from central Visakhapatnam, passengers should plan their journey carefully.
APSRTC has also introduced airport bus services connecting Visakhapatnam with Bhogapuram, with initial services including routes from Gajuwaka via NAD Junction and from the RTC Complex.
Transport arrangements and timings may change, so passengers should check the latest information before travelling.
✈️ Important information for NRIs
This change is particularly important for NRIs travelling to Andhra Pradesh.
If you are travelling from:
🇬🇧 UK
🇺🇸 USA
🇨🇦 Canada
🇦🇺 Australia
🇦🇪 UAE
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
🇶🇦 Qatar
🇸🇬 Singapore
🇪🇺 Europe
🌍 Or any other country
and your final destination is Visakhapatnam or nearby areas, please check your airport arrangements carefully.
If you have relatives collecting you from the airport, tell them that VTZ is now operating from Bhogapuram for scheduled commercial flights.
📝 What should passengers do now?
If you already have a VTZ booking for travel on or after 17 August 2026, follow these steps:
1. Don't panic.
Your ticket does not normally need to be reissued simply because VTZ has moved to Bhogapuram.
2. Check your airline confirmation.
Look for the latest airport information.
3. Confirm the airport location.
Your destination should now be Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, Bhogapuram (VTZ).
4. Plan your road journey.
Allow extra time to travel from Visakhapatnam city to Bhogapuram.
5. Inform your family or driver.
Make sure anyone collecting you knows the new airport location.
6. If you are already at the old airport by mistake, act immediately.
Contact your airline or travel agent rather than simply assuming you will be rescheduled.
7. Do not assume a refund.
A missed flight caused by going to the wrong airport may be treated differently from an airline cancellation or operational change.
⚠️ Most important message
VTZ has NOT disappeared.
The VTZ airport code remains, but the physical airport has changed.
Before 17 August 2026:
VTZ = Visakhapatnam Civil Enclave / INS Dega
From 17 August 2026:
VTZ = Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, Bhogapuram
The transfer takes effect from 00:01 on 17 August 2026.
1. When are flights moving from the old Vizag Airport to Bhogapuram?
From 17 August 2026, scheduled commercial passenger flights will operate from Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, Bhogapuram.
2. Is the old Visakhapatnam Airport completely closed?
Not completely. The old airport/INS Dega facility will continue to support certain non-commercial, defence, government and other permitted operations.
However, regular scheduled domestic and international passenger flights will move to Bhogapuram.
3. Will domestic flights operate from the old Vizag Airport after 17 August?
No. Regular scheduled domestic passenger flights will operate from Bhogapuram Airport from 17 August 2026.
4. What about international flights?
Scheduled international passenger flights will also operate from Bhogapuram Airport.
5. What is the airport code for Bhogapuram?
The airport code VTZ remains the same.
Therefore, your ticket may still show:
Visakhapatnam (VTZ)
This does not mean you should go to the old airport. For scheduled passenger flights from 17 August, VTZ refers to Bhogapuram Airport.
6. I already have a ticket showing VTZ. Do I need to change my ticket?
Normally, no.
The airport code remains VTZ, so passengers generally do not need to rebook or reissue their ticket simply because the airport has moved.
Always check your latest airline confirmation before travelling.
7. How far is Bhogapuram Airport from Visakhapatnam?
Bhogapuram Airport is approximately 50 km from Visakhapatnam city.
Passengers should allow additional road-travel time, particularly during busy periods.
8. What happens if I accidentally go to the old Vizag Airport?
You could miss your flight.
If you realise the mistake before your scheduled departure, contact your airline or travel agent immediately and explain the situation.
Do not assume that the airline will automatically transfer you to another flight.
9. Will the airline reschedule my flight for free if I go to the wrong airport?
Not automatically.
If the passenger simply goes to the wrong airport and misses the flight, the booking may be treated as a no-show, depending on the airline's rules.
Any free rescheduling or waiver would depend on the airline and the circumstances.
10. Will I receive a refund if I miss my flight because I went to the old airport?
A refund is not automatically guaranteed.
Refunds depend on the airline's fare rules and the circumstances of the missed flight.
Passengers should contact the airline or their travel agent as soon as possible, preferably before the scheduled departure time.
11. What if the airline did not clearly inform me about the airport change?
Contact the airline or travel agent and explain the situation.
Ask them to review the booking and any notifications that were sent to you.
Where a passenger believes an airline has failed to meet its applicable passenger-rights obligations, they can raise the matter with the airline and consider the appropriate regulatory complaint process.
12. Should I cancel my existing VTZ ticket and book a new one?
No — don't do this simply because of the airport relocation.
If your ticket is confirmed for VTZ, first check the latest airline information. Since the code remains VTZ, cancelling and purchasing another ticket could result in unnecessary charges.
🤝 A message from your travel partner
At Wicket Travel www.wickettravel.com , our priority is to make your journey as smooth as possible.
If you have already booked a flight to or from VTZ, please don't automatically cancel or change your ticket contact us we will help you.
First, check the latest airline information and confirm the airport location.
If you booked through a travel agent, contact your agent before making any changes. Unnecessary ticket changes could result in additional charges.
Remember:
Same VTZ code.
New airport location.
Approximately 50 km from Visakhapatnam city.
Allow extra travel time.
Check before you travel.
Safe travels! ✈️
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