VISAKHAPATNAM: At 10.45 pm on Sunday (August 16), IndiGo flight 6E2018 to Delhi took off from the Visakhapatnam International Airport, bringing an end to more than four decades of scheduled commercial aviation from the city.
From 12.01 am on Monday, the VTZ code and scheduled airline operations moved about 50 km north to the new Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district.
The shift marks more than a change of airport. For generations, the Visakhapatnam airport was part of the city’s growth and everyday life. It was where journeys began, families reunited and many took their first flight.
As per the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s Gazette notification issued on July 28, the VTZ code was transferred to the Bhogapuram airport from August 17. The Civil Enclave at INS Dega, however, will continue to handle non-scheduled commercial operations, including charter and private flights. A General Aviation Terminal is placed for such operations.
Airport Director N Purushottam while announcing the conclusion of commercial services, thanked the Indian Navy, CISF, airlines, ground-handling agencies, regulatory authorities, concessionaires and employees for their contribution to the airport’s operations over the years.
The airport began as a Royal Air Force airfield during World War II. Civilian operations followed, while the Indian Navy later developed the facility into INS Dega. Over the years, it expanded its domestic network and introduced international services to destinations such as Dubai, Singapore and Bangkok. Connections to Colombo and Kuala Lumpur were also facilitated. The airport also played a role in cargo movement, including seafood and shrimp exports.
The transition has, however, raised concerns among nearly 800 outsourced employees, including porters, ground staff and housekeeping workers. “We were like a family here. Four out of our 24 porters have found jobs at the new airport, while the rest of us are uncertain. Travelling to Bhogapuram every day will be difficult,” porters at the airport said.
Airport shift leaves workers with job, pay & travel worries
Housekeeping workers, most of them women, are among the worst affected. Workers said around 140 employees may find it difficult to continue because of the longer commute. They also raised concerns over lower wages. “Our minimum wage here was around Rs 18,000. At Bhogapuram, we are being offered nearly Rs 15,000, while our travel expenses will increase,” they lamented.
TDP State president and Gajuwaka MLA Palla Srinivasa Rao said the impact of the move would become clearer in the coming months. “The value of an airport extends far beyond convenience. Give us six months, and you will see how much these six months will change,” he told TNIE at the airport.
A special job fair led by Visakhapatnam MP M Sribharat was organised for affected contract employees. As many as 36 companies participated. Of 450 candidates, 100 received job offers and 150 were shortlisted for final interviews.
The future of the old airport site is also being discussed. Apart from a General Aviation Terminal, AAI is examining options for the nearly 350-acre campus, including an aviation training centre.
The Andhra Pradesh Air Travels Association (APATA) marked the final day at the airport on Sunday. Members K Kumar Raja, O Naresh and DS Varma were present. The association recalled the airport’s contribution to air connectivity and thanked the authorities.
APATA also sought a dedicated cargo terminal, city passenger lounges, metro connectivity and faster work on the Coastal Corridor. It proposed dedicated lanes for electric buses to improve access to Bhogapuram.
