The Indian Navy will assume complete control of the restructured Visakhapatnam airspace from July 9, 2026, as part of a major aviation reorganisation linked to the integration of the upcoming Alluri Sitarama Raju Greenfield International Airport into India’s eastern Air Traffic Service network.
According to Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) Supplements issued by the Airports Authority of India, the Navy will become the designated “Controlling Authority” for the newly restructured airspace around Visakhapatnam.
Despite the restructuring, existing civilian Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes passing through the reorganised Temporary Reserved Areas will remain available for civil flight planning, subject to operational clearance and airspace activation protocols.
Visakhapatnam’s aviation infrastructure has a long strategic history. Initially used as a wartime airstrip by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, the airfield opened for civilian aviation in 1962. The Indian Navy began operations there in 1972, formally took ownership in 1986, and commissioned the naval air station as INS Dega in 1991.
Officials stated that increasing congestion between civil and military flight operations over the years necessitated the present restructuring and separation of airspace responsibilities.
Under the new framework, Bhogapuram Airport will function as a scalable high-capacity aviation hub with newly established Bhogapuram Control Areas (CTA-1 to CTA-4) and the introduction of the BHZ DVOR/DME navigational facility.
Several air traffic service routes, including V40, V50, V63, W32 and W89, have been newly introduced, while existing corridors such as V9, W29, W41, W47 and W90 have been modified to streamline traffic and avoid sensitive naval operational zones.
The restructuring also includes rerouting of the J26 airway via the BHZ beacon toward ENVUK.
With civilian operations gradually shifting towards Bhogapuram, the Visakhapatnam Control Areas will come under exclusive Indian Navy jurisdiction. Existing Temporary Reserved Areas TRA808(A) and TRA808(B) are being withdrawn and replaced with newly structured military-controlled zones including TRA805(C) and TSA803 sectors.
Civilian aircraft entering these sectors will now require positive clearance from Visakhapatnam Air Traffic Control before transit.
Officials said the transition represents a major step towards balancing military operational requirements with growing civilian aviation demand along India’s eastern coast, while also strengthening strategic maritime and aerospace coordination in the Bay of Bengal region.
