Smoking Rooms at Vizag Airport – VTZ

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By , Author, Air Travel Writer · Updated

Visakhapatnam’s commercial flights no longer use Vizag Airport (VTZ) — on 8 July 2026 all scheduled services moved to the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram (VSA), about 40 km northeast of the city. If you are flying to or from Visakhapatnam, your flight now uses VSA: see our guide to smoking at Bhogapuram Airport for the current picture.

What Happened to VTZ

Vizag Airport was a compact civil-enclave airport sharing the Indian Navy’s INS Dega air station, with a single integrated terminal that handled domestic and limited international flights. The site remains with the Navy; the civil enclave permanently ceased commercial operations the day Bhogapuram opened. There is no passenger terminal to smoke at here any more.

Where VTZ’s Smoking Facilities Went

While it operated, VTZ was a smoker-friendly small airport: a smoking lounge sat inside the Security Hold Area of the departure hall, listed for both domestic and international sections and fitted with the standard wall-mounted electric lighter, plus outdoor spots along the terminal frontage. None of that transfers automatically to the new airport — Bhogapuram (VSA) has no documented smoking facility yet, so treat a departure from Visakhapatnam as smoke-free until on-the-ground reports establish where (or whether) VSA provides a smoking zone.

Flying from Visakhapatnam Now

  • Airport: Alluri Sitarama Raju International (VSA), Bhogapuram, ~40 km northeast of the city off NH-16
  • Smoking: no facility documented yet — smoke before you leave for the airport
  • Vaping: banned across India under PECA; do not bring a vape

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Visakhapatnam Airport (VTZ) still open for flights?

Commercial flights ceased at VTZ on 8 July 2026, when all scheduled services moved to the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram (VSA), about 40 km northeast of the city. Check your ticket — if you booked a Visakhapatnam flight, it now departs from VSA.

Where do I smoke when flying from Visakhapatnam now?

At the new Bhogapuram Airport (VSA). No smoking facility has been documented there yet — the airport has just opened — so plan to smoke before you travel and see our Bhogapuram guide for the latest.

Did VTZ have a smoking lounge?

Yes — while it operated, VTZ kept a smoking lounge inside the Security Hold Area of the departure hall, with a wall-mounted electric lighter. That facility served commercial passengers and is no longer relevant now that scheduled flights have moved to Bhogapuram.

Can I vape at Visakhapatnam's airports?

Vaping is banned nationwide under PECA — e-cigarettes have been illegal in India since 2019, at VTZ, VSA and everywhere else. Leave vape devices at home; cigarettes are permitted only in designated smoking zones where an airport provides them.