**Executive Summary**
This notification announces the commissioning of the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram, Andhra Pradesh, effective from 00:01 hours on August 17, 2026. Consequently, scheduled commercial operations at the Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) will cease for 30 years, and the international airport code "VTZ" will be transferred to the new Bhogapuram facility. The document outlines the specific operational changes and exemptions for military, emergency, and non-scheduled flights.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Commissioning of New Airport:** The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram is scheduled to commence operations at 00:01 hours on August 17, 2026.
* **Closure of Scheduled Commercial Operations:** Scheduled commercial flights at the Civil Enclave of Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) will be suspended for a duration of 30 years starting from the commissioning of the Bhogapuram airport.
* **Transfer of Airport Code:** The International Air Transport Code "VTZ" currently assigned to Visakhapatnam Airport will be officially transferred to the Bhogapuram International Greenfield Airport on August 17, 2026.
* **Continued Operations at Visakhapatnam (Exemptions):**
* Non-scheduled commercial operations are permitted to continue at the Civil Enclave of Visakhapatnam Airport.
* The airport remains available for use during national emergencies.
* Operations by aircraft owned or operated by the Indian Air Force, Armed Forces of India, Police, or other relevant authorities are not restricted.
* Transportation of dignitaries via special Government-owned, leased, or hired VIP aircraft remains permitted at Visakhapatnam.
**Impact Analysis**
**Commercial Airline Operators**
**Impact**
All scheduled commercial flight operations must transition from Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) to the new Bhogapuram International Greenfield Airport. The airport code "VTZ" will now refer to the Bhogapuram location.
**Action Required**
Relocate scheduled flight services to the new airport by the August 17, 2026 deadline and update flight systems and ticketing to reflect the transfer of the "VTZ" code.
**Non-Scheduled Commercial Operators**
**Impact**
These operators are not subject to the 30-year closure of the Civil Enclave at Visakhapatnam.
**Action Required**
May continue current operations at the Civil Enclave of Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) as per existing protocols.
**Government and Defense Authorities (IAF, Police, Armed Forces)**
**Impact**
Operations related to national security, emergencies, and the transport of dignitaries are unaffected by the closure of scheduled commercial services.
**Action Required**
No change in operational procedures required; these entities retain access to Visakhapatnam Airport facilities.
**Passengers and Travelers**
**Impact**
Travelers using scheduled commercial services will no longer fly into or out of Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) and must use the Bhogapuram facility.
**Action Required**
Ensure travel plans from August 17, 2026, onwards account for the new airport location in Bhogapuram.
Key Entities Referenced
Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, Bhogapuram: The new greenfield airport in Andhra Pradesh whose commissioning triggers the transfer of regional scheduled commercial aviation operations.
Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega): The existing airport facility where scheduled commercial operations are to be closed for 30 years following the opening of the Bhogapuram airport.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The primary regulatory authority responsible for the notification and oversight of the airport transition and operational closures.
International Air Transport Code "VTZ": The specific aviation location identifier being transferred from Visakhapatnam Airport to the new Bhogapuram International Greenfield Airport.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-28072026-274893
CG-DLxx-xEG-I2D8H0x7x2x0 26-274893
xxxGIDExxx
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण्ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 4003] नई दिल्ली, मगं लिार, िलु ाई 28, 2026/श्रािण 6, 1948
No. 4003] NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2026/SHRAVAN 6, 1948
नागर जिमानन मत्रं ालय
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 28 िुलाई, 2026
का.आ. 4173(अ).— आध्रं प्रिेि के भोगापुरम म ें अल्लूरी सीताराम रािू अंतराष्ट्रा ीय हिाईअड्डा के
दिनाकं 17 अगस्ट्त, 2026 को रात 00:01 बिे स े िुरू होने के पररणामस्ट्िरूप और इस पररयोिना के जलए दिनांक
27.01.2016 को साइट क्लीयरेंस प्रिान करने के समय जलए गए जनणाय के अनुसरण म,ें केंद्रीय सरकार एतद्द्वारा अजधसूजचत
करती ह ै दक भोगापुरम अंतरााष्ट्रीय ग्रीनफ़ील्ड हिाईअड्डा पर प्रचालन िुरू होन े के बाि, जििाखापत्तनम हिाईअड्डा
(आईएनएस डेगा) के जसजिल एन्कक्लेि पर अनसु ूजचत िाजणजययक पररचालनों को 30 िर्षों के जलए बंि कर दिए िाएंगा
[इन उद्देश् यों के जलए इसमें हिाईअड्डे क़ी गजतजिजधयों के जलए या भारतीय िायु सेना, भारत के अन्कय सिस्त्र बलों, पजु लस या
ऐसे ही अन्कय प्राजधकरण के स्ट्िाजमत्ि िाले या उनके द्वारा राष्टर ीय आपातकाल के समय या (दकसी भी समय) पररचाजलत
जिमानों, या सरकार के स्ट्िाजमत्ि िाले, पट्टे या दकराए पर जलए गए जििेर्ष िीआईपी जिमानों द्वारा गणमान्कय व्यजियों के
पररिहन के जलए उपयोग को िाजमल नहीं दकया िाएगा]। मौिूिा जििाखापत्तनम हिाईअड्ड े के जलए अंतरााष्ट्रीय हिाई
पररिहन कोड "िीटीिेड"(VTZ) को भी एतद्द्वारा दिनांक 17 अगस्ट्त, 2026 क़ी रात 00:01 बिे स े भोगापुरम अंतरााष्ट्रीय
ग्रीनफ़ील्ड हिाईअड्डा म ें हस्ट् तांतररत कर दिया गया है।
5786 GI/2026 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
हालांदक, जििाखापत्तनम हिाईअड्डे (आईएनएस डेगा) के जसजिल एन्कक्लेि पर गैर-अनुसूजचत िाजणजययक पररचालन
िारी रह सकते हैं।
[फा. सं. एिी-29012/62/2021-एडी]
असंगबा चुबा आओ, संयुक्त सजचि
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 28th July, 2026
S.O. 4173(E).—Consequent on the commissioning of the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport,
Bhogapuram, Andhra Pradesh with effect from 00:01 hours of 17th August, 2026 and in pursuance of the decision taken
at the time of grant of Site Clearance for this project on 27.01.2016, the Central Government hereby notifies that the
scheduled commercial operations at the Civil Enclave at Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) will be closed for 30 years
[which shall, for these purposes, not include use for Airport Activity at times of national emergency or (at any time) by
aircraft owned or operated by or for the Indian Air Force or other Armed Forces of India or Police or any such other
authorities or for transportation of dignitaries by special Government owned, leased or hired VIP aircraft], once the
operations are commenced at Bhogapuram International Greenfield Airport. The International Air Transport Code
“VTZ” for the existing Visakhapatnam airport is also hereby transferred to Bhogapuram International Greenfield Airport
from 00:01 hours of 17th August, 2026.
Non-Scheduled Commercial operations may however continue to be operated at the Civil Enclave at
Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega).
[F. No. AV-29012/62/2021-AD]
ASANGBA CHUBA AO, Jt. Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.