English

Smoking at Visakhapatnam Bhogapuram Airport – VSA

VSA ✓ Verified Sep 2026
By , Author, Air Travel Writer · Updated

Yes, you can smoke at Visakhapatnam Bhogapuram Airport in the smoking lounges near the Security Hold Area, which Air India’s airport information page lists among the terminal’s passenger facilities. The airport, officially the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, is GMR’s greenfield airport about 40 km northeast of Visakhapatnam city, off National Highway 16 in Vizianagaram district. It took over all of Visakhapatnam’s scheduled flights on 17 August 2026 and inherited the familiar VTZ airport code.

Smoking After Security

The terminal is a single integrated building serving domestic and international flights from one departures concourse. Air India’s airport page answers “Where can I smoke?” with “Smoking lounges are located near the Security hold area”, which places them in the post-security departure zone. As at every Indian airport, lighters and matches are surrendered at screening, so expect the standard wall-mounted electric lighter inside — see our guide to the electric lighter machines at Indian airports if it is your first time. Exact lounge positions and hours have not been published; ask airline ground staff or the airport information desk for the nearest one.

Before Security

No landside outdoor smoking spot has been documented yet at Bhogapuram. Until one is, plan to smoke after clearing security in the lounges rather than outside the terminal. Air India also notes that no airline lounge is offered to its guests at the airport for now, so the smoking lounges are the only indoor option.

Summary

AreaSmokingNotes
Near the Security Hold AreaYes — smoking loungesListed on Air India’s airport information page; wall-mounted electric lighter expected
Landside / outside the terminalNot documentedNo marked outdoor spot published yet

The old Vizag city airport (VTZ) closed to scheduled flights on 16 August 2026; its smoking lounge is no longer available to passengers.

For India airport smoking rules, the PECA vape ban, lighter-machine instructions, and other rules, see our India smoking guide.

Last updated:

Rate this Airport for Smoker Friendliness

Smoker to smoker — every tip helps another traveler land prepared.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a smoking zone at Visakhapatnam Bhogapuram Airport?

Yes — Air India’s airport information page for Bhogapuram states that smoking lounges are located near the Security Hold Area, so smokers have an option after clearing security. Exact room positions and any landside spots have not been published yet; follow the signage or ask airline ground staff or the information desk.

Is there a smoking zone after security at Visakhapatnam Bhogapuram Airport?

Yes — the smoking lounges sit near the Security Hold Area, the post-security departure zone, according to Air India’s airport information page. As at other Indian airports, expect lighters to be surrendered at screening and a wall-mounted electric lighter inside the lounge.

Where can I smoke at Visakhapatnam Bhogapuram Airport?

In the smoking lounges near the Security Hold Area after screening. The single integrated terminal serves domestic and international flights from one departures concourse, so ask staff for the nearest lounge once you are through security. No landside outdoor smoking spot has been documented yet.

Does the old Visakhapatnam airport (VTZ) still have flights?

All Visakhapatnam services now operate from Bhogapuram, which took them over on 17 August 2026; the Vizag city airport closed to scheduled flights on 16 August 2026. The new airport inherited the VTZ airport code, so a ticket showing Visakhapatnam means Bhogapuram.

Can I vape at Visakhapatnam Bhogapuram Airport?

Cigarettes are permitted in the designated smoking lounges — e-cigarettes and vaping devices are banned across India under PECA, so do not carry or use them here, as they can be confiscated.