Bhogapuram airport takes over Visakhapatnam’s flights; first day brings praise and a long drive
· India · The Hindu, LiveMint
The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram officially started commercial flights on 17 August 2026, taking over all scheduled services from the former civil enclave at INS Dega. Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu began the inaugural day by flagging off the first flights and handing out boarding passes to passengers. The first arrivals were IndiGo flight 6E 6408 from Hyderabad at 6:45 am and Air India Express flight IX 2064 from Bengaluru at 7:30 am, while the first departure was Air India Express IX 2745 to Hyderabad at 8:50 am. A local traveler, Vikram Penmetsa from Siripuram, described a 50‑minute drive to the new terminal, noting that the travel time would increase during heavier traffic. The opening is the start of a new transportation chapter for Andhra Pradesh, adding a modern aviation hub for the state.
Why it matters
The new airport expands connectivity for passengers and cargo, reducing travel time and potentially shifting traffic away from Visakhapatnam’s old airfield, which can boost regional economic activity.
Read the original report — The Hindu
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.