Encalm Hospitality has unveiled lounges and meet-and-assist services at Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, days after commercial flights shifted there on 17 August.
Cover image: Departure lounge at an Indian airport — photo by Randy Breese, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Encalm Hospitality has unveiled lounges and meet-and-assist services at Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, the new Visakhapatnam airport that took over commercial flights from the city's old civil enclave on 17 August 2026. The launch adds premium waiting space and assisted transit at the 6-million-passenger Phase 1 terminal built for about Rs 45.92 billion.
The airport, also known as Visakhapatnam International Airport (IATA VTZ, ICAO VOVI), sits at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district off National Highway 16, about 45 km from Visakhapatnam. It was inaugurated 1 August 2026 and took all commercial services previously operated from the civil enclave at INS Dega, where the Navy could not offer extra slots and only limited international flights were allowed. The IATA code VTZ transferred to Bhogapuram on 17 August.
What did Encalm launch at Bhogapuram?
Encalm Hospitality, which operates lounges and meet-and-assist across major Indian airports, unveiled airside lounges and a meet-and-assist product for Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport. The services are aimed at the airport's opening weeks, when passengers are navigating a new terminal geography and transfer flows for the first time.
Lounges in the 77,342 sqm terminal follow Encalm's standard format with seating, work areas, food and beverage and flight information, complementing the terminal's 14 aircraft stands and 3,800-metre runway 10/28 with CAT I ILS. Meet-and-assist covers kerb-to-gate and gate-to-gate help, useful for elderly travellers, families and tight connections onto Southeast Asia services via Hyderabad or Chennai.
The airport is owned by Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corp and operated by a GMR Group subsidiary, the same group behind Hyderabad and Delhi. That operation brings the hospitality layer familiar from 57 airports upgraded with new cafes and Digi Yatra lanes and the 100 new airports plan over 10 years under UDAN.
Why does the new airport matter for Andhra travellers?
Visakhapatnam's old civil enclave at INS Dega was constrained by naval airspace and a small terminal. Airlines could not add evening or international frequencies easily. The Bhogapuram site removes that cap with a greenfield runway, a 5,000 sqm cargo terminal and space for a second phase.
For north coastal Andhra, the airport shortens access for Vizag, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam and avoids the longer drive to Hyderabad for some Southeast Asia itineraries. The terminal's Phase 1 capacity of 6 million per year is ahead of current Visakhapatnam traffic, leaving room for growth as airlines rebuild Visakhapatnam-Singapore, Visakhapatnam-Kuala Lumpur and domestic hub links.
If you are connecting to Bali or Southeast Asia, note the Bali airport to Canggu battery tram plan and the widening domestic lounge network described in our Singapore-Thailand Leaders Retreat context for regional connectivity.
What should passengers expect at VTZ now?
Allow extra time in the first months. The terminal is larger, 45 km from the city, and road works around NH16 can add traffic at peak hours. Encalm's meet-and-assist is positioned for those with tight connections or heavy baggage, and lounges offer a quiet area before boarding.
Airlines moved operations overnight on 17 August, so old Visakhapatnam airport guides that reference INS Dega are now outdated. Check your ticket for VTZ and confirm the departure airport shows Bhogapuram or Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport. DigiYatra, if available, and the airport's automated check-in lanes will help once registered.
For onward international travel, keep the meet-and-assist booking confirmation and lounge access voucher on your phone. Encalm typically serves arrivals and departures, so book the direction you need, especially for early-morning Southeast Asia departures.
| Detail | Alluri Sitarama Raju (Bhogapuram) VTZ |
|---|---|
| Commercial opening | 17 August 2026 (VTZ transfer from INS Dega) |
| Inauguration | 1 August 2026 |
| Terminal | 77,342 sqm, 6m pax/year Phase 1, 14 stands |
| Runway | 10/28, 3,800m, CAT I ILS |
| Operator / cost | GMR subsidiary / Rs 45.92 billion Phase 1 |
| Location | Bhogapuram, Vizianagaram, off NH16, 45 km from Vizag |
Frequently asked questions
What did Encalm open at Alluri Sitarama Raju Airport?
Encalm Hospitality unveiled lounges and meet-and-assist services at Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram. The launch follows the 17 August 2026 shift of commercial flights from Visakhapatnam's civil enclave at INS Dega to the new airport.
When did Bhogapuram Airport open for commercial flights?
The airport was inaugurated 1 August 2026 and commercial services moved there on 17 August 2026, when the IATA code VTZ transferred from the old Visakhapatnam airport.
How big is the new terminal?
Phase 1 has a 77,342 sqm passenger terminal for 6 million passengers per year, plus a 5,000 sqm cargo terminal, a 3,800-metre runway 10/28 with CAT I ILS and 14 aircraft stands, built for about Rs 45.92 billion and operated by a GMR Group subsidiary.
Do I need a lounge or meet-and-assist at VTZ?
The new terminal is larger and 45 km from Visakhapatnam city off NH16, so connections and first-time navigation take longer. Encalm's meet-and-assist and lounges help with transfers, especially if connecting from domestic sectors to Southeast Asia via Hyderabad or Chennai.
Sources
- Hospitality Economic Times — Encalm Hospitality unveils lounges and meet & assist at Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport
- Wikipedia — Bhogapuram Airport (Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, VTZ)
- Wikipedia — Visakhapatnam International Airport (transfer 17 Aug 2026)
- Wikipedia — GMR Group (airport operator)
