Will operations at Vizag Airport continue?

Visakhapatnam: As preparations gather pace for the commencement of commercial operations at the upcoming Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, uncertainty continues to loom over the future of the existing Visakhapatnam Airport.

Despite repeated appeals from public representatives and air travel associations, the Centre has yet to provide clarity on whether the current airport will continue flight operations for a transitional period after the new facility becomes functional.

The proposed airport at Bhogapuram, located over 50-km away from Visakhapatnam city, has sparked widespread concern among passengers over its accessibility and the travel time required to reach the terminal. Many travellers fear that reaching the new airport could take more than two hours due to persistent traffic congestion along the city’s major routes, particularly during peak hours in the morning and evening. Ironically, several passengers express concern that the journey to Bhogapuram might take longer than the actual flying hours to Hyderabad.

Although the state government has initiated concrete measures to ease connectivity issues from Visakhapatnam to Bhogapuram, officials acknowledge that providing complete relief remains a challenge. Currently, the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) is constructing seven connecting roads to improve access to the new airport. However, commuters are expected to continue facing traffic bottlenecks while travelling from different parts of the City of Destiny.

Flagging public inconvenience, Visakhapatnam North MLA P Vishnu Kumar Raju urged the authorities to continue operations at the existing Visakhapatnam Airport for at least a few months after the inauguration of the new airport in Bhogapuram.

Similarly, the Andhra Pradesh Air Travellers Association (APATA) also appealed to the government to retain select flight services from Visakhapatnam Airport during rush hours to minimise passenger inconvenience. However, the Centre has not favoured the proposal as it clearly indicates shutting down Visakhapatnam Airport for civilians soon after the new airport becomes operational at Bhogapuram.

Passengers are also worried about the financial burden associated with the extended travelling time to the new airport. A cab ride from Visakhapatnam city to Bhogapuram is estimated to cost around Rs.4,000 per trip, adding to the overall travel expenses at a time when airfares are already witnessing a steady rise.

Travellers have expressed dissatisfaction over the prospect of spending additional time and money merely to access the airport.

To address these concerns, the state government is planning to introduce air-conditioned electric buses through a dedicated corridor connecting the city to the airport. Officials believe that the proposed EV bus services, once introduced, could offer considerable relief to passengers commuting to Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport. APATA representatives DS Varma O Naresh Kumar and K Kumar Raju informed that Scoot Airlines is commencing its operation from July 8.

With ‘muhurat’ set for commercial operations from the new airport starting in July, it remains to be seen whether the gates of Visakhapatnam Airport will remain permanently closed to civilians.