Air India Shifts to New Bhogapuram Airport from 17 August, Boosting Travel and Tourism Connectivity

Written By: Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar is a Senior Journalist at Travel and Tour World with more than 10 years of experience in travel and tourism journalism. A post-graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, he combines strong research, industry knowledge and storytelling expertise to produce engaging, insightful and impactful travel news and fascinating feature stories.

See Full Bio

August 17, 2026 02:25 GMT+5:30

Image generated with Ai

Air India will move all flights currently operating to and from Visakhapatnam International Airport to the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram from 17 August 2026, retaining the VTZ airport code and continuing 14 weekly flights to Delhi.

Air India is set to begin a new chapter for travel and tourism in Andhra Pradesh as all of its services currently operating to and from Visakhapatnam will shift to the newly developed Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram from 17 August 2026, a transition designed to give passengers access to a significantly larger and more technologically advanced terminal while maintaining continuity through the existing VTZ airport code. The move means travellers will continue booking flights and planning their journeys using the familiar airport code, while gaining access to upgraded infrastructure that could improve passenger processing, baggage handling and the overall experience for business travellers, holidaymakers and the wider tourism economy.

Why Is Air India Moving Its Operations to Bhogapuram?

The airline’s decision follows the operational transition to the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, positioning Bhogapuram as the new gateway for Air India’s services serving the Visakhapatnam region and marking an important infrastructure development for travel across Andhra Pradesh and India’s eastern coastline. By moving operations to the new airport from 17 August, Air India will connect its existing network to a purpose-built passenger facility with greater capacity and modern systems, potentially supporting future growth in aviation, domestic mobility, international connectivity and tourism demand.

Passengers should note that the airport code will remain VTZ, reducing the likelihood of confusion for customers who have already made reservations or are planning future travel, although they will need to ensure they travel to Bhogapuram rather than the former Visakhapatnam airport location when catching an Air India flight after the operational change takes effect. The retention of the airport code provides continuity across booking platforms, airline systems and travel planning processes, while the physical shift to the new terminal represents a substantial change in the departure and arrival experience for passengers.

What Flights Will Air India Continue to Operate?

Air India will continue operating 14 weekly flights between Bhogapuram and Delhi, maintaining a regular connection between the Andhra Pradesh region and the national capital while allowing passengers to access the airline’s wider network through its hub connectivity. The twice-daily weekly pattern is particularly relevant for business travel, leisure journeys and tourism, as passengers can use Delhi as a gateway to numerous domestic destinations and selected international services depending on available schedules and connections.

This continuity means the airport transition is not simply about replacing one terminal with another, because it preserves an important route while transferring it into a more modern aviation environment that could support stronger passenger demand over time. For the regional tourism sector, reliable air access remains critical because easier connectivity can help attract visitors, support conferences and corporate journeys, and strengthen the accessibility of Visakhapatnam and surrounding destinations for travellers arriving from across India and overseas.

How Will the New Bhogapuram Terminal Improve the Passenger Experience?

The new terminal covers 77,342 square metres and has been designed with passenger comfort and operational efficiency in mind, providing considerably more sophisticated infrastructure for the growing requirements of modern travel and airport operations. Its facilities include 22 traditional check-in counters, 18 Self Baggage Drop units, advanced screening technology, modern baggage handling systems and seven aerobridges, creating an airport environment intended to make the passenger journey more organised and seamless from check-in through boarding.

The combination of conventional counters and self-service baggage facilities gives passengers greater flexibility, particularly during busy periods when efficient processing can make a meaningful difference to the airport experience and overall perceptions of travel convenience. Advanced security and baggage systems, meanwhile, are expected to support smoother operations behind the scenes, while the seven aerobridges can provide a more comfortable boarding and arrival process by reducing reliance on outdoor aircraft access and strengthening the terminal’s ability to handle scheduled services efficiently.

What Does the Airport Shift Mean for Travel and Tourism?

The transition to Bhogapuram represents more than an airline operational update because improved aviation infrastructure can play a wider role in shaping travel, regional connectivity and long-term tourism development across Andhra Pradesh. A modern airport with enhanced passenger capacity and more efficient facilities can make a destination more attractive to airlines and travellers alike, potentially supporting additional routes and frequencies as demand develops in the years ahead.

For visitors, easier and more comfortable air access can influence destination choices, particularly where holidays, business trips and multi-city journeys depend on reliable connections, making airport infrastructure an increasingly important part of the wider tourism ecosystem. The new facility could therefore become an important gateway for travellers exploring Visakhapatnam’s beaches, cultural attractions and surrounding coastal and regional destinations, while also supporting economic activity generated by hotels, transport providers, restaurants and other businesses connected to visitor spending.

Anup Kumar Keshan Welcomes the New Aviation Milestone

“Air India’s commencement of operations from the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram is a highly positive development for Andhra Pradesh and demonstrates how modern aviation infrastructure can transform the future of travel and tourism. The upgraded terminal, advanced passenger facilities and continued Delhi connectivity create a stronger foundation for seamless journeys, business mobility and visitor growth, while retaining the VTZ code offers valuable continuity for travellers. This transition has the potential to strengthen Bhogapuram’s position as an important aviation gateway and encourage broader tourism development, improved connectivity and greater economic opportunities across the region in the years ahead,” said Anup Kumar Keshan, Editor-in-Chief, Travel And Tour World.

What Should Passengers Do Before Travelling After 17 August?

Passengers travelling with Air India on or after 17 August 2026 should carefully check their flight details and plan their ground transport to Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, Bhogapuram, rather than automatically heading to the former Visakhapatnam airport location. Although the VTZ code remains unchanged, the physical airport from which Air India flights will operate is changing, making advance journey planning particularly important for avoiding delays or missed flights.

Travellers should also allow sufficient time for reaching the new airport, especially during the initial period following the transition, when passengers and transport providers may still be adjusting to revised routes and airport access arrangements. As the new facility becomes established, its larger terminal, self-service systems and enhanced operational infrastructure could help create a more efficient experience and strengthen the region’s ability to accommodate future growth in travel and tourism.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Air India start operating from Bhogapuram Airport?

Air India will commence operations from the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram on 17 August 2026, with all its flights currently operating to and from Visakhapatnam shifting to the new airport.

Will the airport code change from VTZ?

No, the airport code will remain VTZ, providing continuity for passengers making bookings and planning their travel after Air India’s operational shift.

How many Air India flights will operate between Bhogapuram and Delhi?

Air India will continue to operate 14 weekly flights between Bhogapuram and Delhi, supporting onward domestic and international connectivity through its network.

What facilities does the new terminal offer?

The 77,342-square-metre terminal includes 22 check-in counters, 18 Self Baggage Drop units, advanced screening systems, modern baggage handling facilities and seven aerobridges.

Why is this important for tourism?

The new airport infrastructure can strengthen accessibility, improve the passenger experience and provide a stronger foundation for future aviation growth, helping support tourism, business travel and wider economic development across the region.