Visakhapatnam Airport Halts Operations as Flights Move to Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport

Visakhapatnam Airport officially ended its flight operations at midnight on Sunday, with commercial services shifting to the newly opened Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport from Monday. The transition has triggered mixed reactions, with airport employees expressing anxiety over their livelihoods while long-time passengers bid an emotional farewell to the old facility.

Housekeeping employee Ganditi Ramu, who has spent 15 years working at Visakhapatnam Airport, said workers were worried about their jobs and unpaid salaries following the shutdown. He claimed that employees had approached both authorities and company management but had not received satisfactory assurances. Ramu also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior officials to intervene and help affected workers.

Another housekeeping employee, Sunita, said the closure had created serious financial difficulties for staff members who have families to support. She alleged that workers had neither received their pending payments nor been offered alternative employment. According to her, some employees were also finding it difficult to secure new jobs because of their age. While airport workers remain concerned about their future, many passengers used the final day of operations to remember the role the old airport had played in their lives.

Dr Vijay, who had been using the airport for around 15 years, described the occasion as emotional. Working in Sheela Nagar, he said the airports convenient location allowed him to complete his work and travel without significantly disrupting his schedule. Although he was saddened by the closure, he welcomed the new airport as a sign of Visakhapatnams growth and development.

Uma, who had travelled through the airport since 2007 while frequently visiting India from the Gulf, said she had developed a strong emotional connection with the facility. She particularly valued its central location, which made it easily accessible. With the new airport located much farther away, she said residents would miss the convenience of the old facility. Not everyone viewed the transition negatively. Some passengers said the new airport was essential for accommodating Visakhapatnams future growth.

Satish, who had used the old airport for nearly two decades, said the change was emotional but expressed optimism about the new facility. He hoped the expanded airport would attract new businesses and provide facilities comparable to those available at major international airports such as Hyderabad. Pooja, travelling from Bengaluru to Visakhapatnam, also supported the relocation. After using the old airport for several years, she said the move was important for the citys development, improved international connectivity and security considerations.

Kiran pointed to Visakhapatnams growing passenger demand as another reason for the relocation. He noted that the existing airports central location has contributed to congestion and left little room for expansion. In his view, shifting the airport to Bhogapuram is necessary as the city continues to expand and requires a larger aviation facility. The distance from the city remains a major concern for some residents. Shanthi, who had come to see off family members, said the old airport was particularly convenient because of its location and easy access for passengers. She expressed concern that reaching the new airport at Bhogapuram could be difficult until better public transport and other infrastructure are developed. The closure therefore marks both an emotional farewell and a major transition for Visakhapatnam. While the old airports central location made it popular with generations of travellers, the new airport is expected to provide greater capacity and support the citys long-term expansion.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.