Route Transition: Visakhapatnam (Old VTZ) ➔ Bhogapuram International Airport (New VTZ)
Effective Date: July 8, 2026
Airlines Operating: Scoot (Singapore Airlines Group) – Terminal 1
The countdown has officially begun for a monumental shift in North Andhra’s aviation landscape. Singapore-based low-cost carrier Scoot has become the first international airline to formally announce the transition of its operations to the newly built greenfield facility: Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram.
Beginning July 8, 2026, all Scoot flights serving the region will operate entirely out of the Bhogapuram facility, completely shifting away from the existing naval-controlled Visakhapatnam Airport.
Same Iconic Code, Brand New Runway: VTZ Transferred
To maintain absolute clarity across global booking platforms, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) code “VTZ” will not change. It is transferring directly from the old city airport to the modern Bhogapuram facility.
According to official communications sent by the Singapore Airlines subsidiary to its trade partners, Scoot operations will handle passenger traffic exclusively through Terminal 1 of the new airport
Strict Passenger Guidelines & Time Windows
Because the greenfield airport is situated in the Vizianagaram district—roughly 50 kilometers away from the Visakhapatnam city center—road transit patterns are set to change significantly. Commuters from major hubs like the Vizag IT corridor or RK Beach should factor in an estimated road travel time of 90 to 120 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
Check-In Desk Windows: Counters will open exactly 2.5 hours (150 minutes) prior to scheduled departures.
Booking Actions: Travel partners are actively reaching out to passengers holding bookings on or after July 8. The hard deadline for notifying affected passengers of the venue change is set for June 10, 2026.
Unlocking North Andhra’s Economic Potential
Local trade bodies, including the Andhra Pradesh Air Travellers Association (APATA), have enthusiastically welcomed Scoot’s proactive timeline. APATA leadership highlighted that moving away from the operational and slot restrictions of the defense-controlled Visakhapatnam airport will provide the 24/7 commercial freedom necessary to revive critical international routes to destinations like Bangkok, Malaysia, and Colombo.
The modern GMR-developed facility is designed to handle an initial capacity of 6 million passengers annually, establishing a world-class gateway that will drastically reduce logistics costs for the region’s massive pharmaceutical sector and accelerate IT expansion.
With state authorities aiming for a grand formal inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the first week of July, Scoot’s July 8 flight marks the official dawn of a new international transit era on India’s eastern coast.
