Among Indian cities of Visakhapatnam’s size and economic weight, few airports carry as unusual a structural constraint as VTZ. The airport sits inside a naval airbase — INS Dega, headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command — making it a civil enclave within a defence installation. That arrangement has defined its operational realities for decades: operating hours are restricted, expansion possibilities are limited by military boundaries, and the airport has never been able to grow at the pace its city demands. With nearly 30 lakh passengers handled in 2024–25, it remains the busiest airport in Andhra Pradesh. But that chapter is closing — the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram is scheduled to take over operations from July 2026 onwards.
Quick Overview: Visakhapatnam International Airport
| Detail | Information |
| Airport Name | Visakhapatnam International Airport |
| Also Known As | Vizag Airport |
| Location | NAD Junction, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh |
| Airport Type | Military/Public — Customs Airport (Civil Enclave at INS Dega) |
| IATA Code | VTZ |
| ICAO Code | VOVZ |
| Owner | Indian Navy |
| Operator | Indian Navy and Airports Authority of India (AAI) |
| Terminal Area | 20,400 sq. metres |
| Operating Hours | 0800 to 2000 hrs |
| Distance from City | ~7–12 km depending on area of city |
| Passengers (2024–25) | 29,55,089 |
| Successor Airport | Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, Bhogapuram |
Visakhapatnam Airport Location: Inside the City, Inside the Navy
Visakhapatnam Airport is located at NAD Junction — the Naval Area Development crossroads — in the Scindia area of Visakhapatnam city. The address is NH16, opposite Viman Nagar, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530009. Unlike most Indian airports that sit on the urban fringe, VTZ is embedded within the city itself. It is approximately 7 kilometres from Ramakrishna Beach, about 12 kilometres from Visakhapatnam railway station, and around 15 kilometres from Rushikonda Beach.
This central positioning is one of the airport’s key advantages — and simultaneously its biggest constraint. The runway is shared with INS Dega, one of India’s most operationally active naval air stations. Civil operations run within designated windows, and the airport’s ability to expand physically is bounded by navy facility boundaries on multiple sides.
Visakhapatnam Airport Code: IATA VTZ and ICAO VOVZ
The airport’s IATA code is VTZ and its ICAO code is VOVZ. VTZ is the standard identifier on all airline booking systems, boarding passes, and baggage handling infrastructure. The airport is widely referred to as Vizag Airport in everyday usage, and that name appears across travel platforms alongside the official Visakhapatnam International Airport designation.
Visakhapatnam Airport Terminal: Single Integrated Building
Visakhapatnam Airport operates from a single integrated terminal, inaugurated in 2009, covering approximately 20,400 square metres. The terminal handles both domestic and international passengers within the same building, with dedicated sections for each. It has 21 check-in counters — including 11 immigration counters and 9 customs counters for international operations — along with 7 security kiosks.
Peak capacity stands at 300 incoming and 700 outgoing passengers simultaneously. Annual capacity is around 2 million passengers, a ceiling the airport has been exceeding in recent years, given it handled nearly 30 lakh passengers in 2024–25. That gap between capacity and actual traffic is a key driver behind the transition to Bhogapuram.
The terminal is the largest among Tier II city airports in India and is noted for being a reasonably modern, well-maintained facility despite its unusual naval enclave context. However, the absence of Wi-Fi across the terminal and the 0800 to 2000 operating hour restriction are notable practical constraints that passengers should factor into travel planning.
Visakhapatnam Airport Connectivity: Airlines, Routes and Ground Transport
By Air: IndiGo operates over 100 weekly non-stop flights from Visakhapatnam to destinations across India. Air India, SpiceJet, and other carriers also serve VTZ. Direct daily flights run to Delhi (approximately 2.5 hours) and Mumbai (approximately 2 hours). International connectivity includes select Gulf destinations and charter services, with customs and immigration facilities in place for scheduled international operations.
By Road: Prepaid taxis, app-based cab services including Uber, and local autorickshaws connect the airport to various parts of Visakhapatnam city. Car rental services are available at the terminal. Travel time from most central Vizag locations is 20 to 30 minutes. APSRTC city buses also operate routes near the airport.
By Rail: Visakhapatnam Railway Station is approximately 12 kilometres from the airport. It is one of the larger railway junctions in South India, connecting the city to Hyderabad, Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, and Delhi, among many others. The combination of rail and cab is the most common long-distance arrival approach for VTZ passengers.
Transition Note: With Bhogapuram airport targeting commercial operations from July 2026, passengers travelling to Visakhapatnam after that window should check which airport their airline is using before booking, as the transition of routes may happen in phases.
Visakhapatnam Airport Amenities: Facilities at the Current Terminal
Despite its naval enclave setting, VTZ offers a solid range of passenger amenities. ATMs and banking services are available within the terminal. Free trolleys are provided. Wheelchair assistance is in place, along with services for differently-abled passengers. Car rental desks and pre-paid taxi counters operate at the arrivals exit.
Retail options inside the terminal include shops selling traditional souvenirs, local handicrafts, pearls — Visakhapatnam being a known centre for pearl trade — and music. Dining is covered by several restaurants and cafes within the terminal. A VIP lounge is available. Massage parlours operate within the terminal, which is a fairly rare amenity for a regional airport of this scale. Short-term and long-term parking facilities are available at the airport.
One notable gap: Wi-Fi is not available at Visakhapatnam Airport, which is an unusual absence for a facility of its passenger volume and strategic importance.
FAQs: Visakhapatnam International Airport
Q: What is the IATA code for Visakhapatnam Airport?
A: The IATA code is VTZ and the ICAO code is VOVZ. The airport is also commonly referred to as Vizag Airport.
Q: What are the operating hours of Visakhapatnam Airport?
A: The airport operates from 0800 to 2000 hours only. Flights outside this window are not scheduled, which is a constraint tied to its operation within the INS Dega naval base.
Q: Is there Wi-Fi available at Visakhapatnam Airport?
A: No. Wi-Fi is currently not available at Visakhapatnam Airport — a practical gap passengers should plan around.
Q: Will Visakhapatnam Airport close after Bhogapuram opens?
A: Not immediately. The 2022 agreement between the state government and the Navy outlined a phased transition of civilian operations to Bhogapuram over 30 years. Initial commercial operations at Bhogapuram are targeted from July 2026, but VTZ is expected to continue functioning in some capacity during the transition.
Q: How far is Visakhapatnam Airport from the city’s beaches?
A: The airport is approximately 7 to 8 kilometres from Ramakrishna Beach and about 15 kilometres from Rushikonda Beach — unusually close proximity for a city airport of this size.
