Visakhapatnam Airport shuts down commercial operations as flights transition to new Bhogapuram Airport

The 64-year-old Visakhapatnam Airport suspended all commercial flight operations as scheduled civil aviation services shifted entirely to the newly built Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram. The final commercial service from the old airport has departed, while the new greenfield airport, situated roughly 44 km away, commenced commercial operations with 31 daily scheduled flights retaining the ‘VTZ’ airport code. While civil flights have migrated to Bhogapuram, the existing airport facility will continue to function as a military airbase for the Indian Navy’s INS Dega. However, the abrupt shutdown of commercial activities has left scores of ground staff, housekeeping workers and contractual employees facing severe employment uncertainty, with workers alleging unpaid wages for the preceding 15 days and appealing to state and central civil aviation authorities for rehabilitation and job security at the new airport hub, according to a report.