At 10.45 pm on Sunday, August 16, an IndiGo flight departed from Visakhapatnam International Airport, ending more than four decades of scheduled commercial aviation in the city. From 12.01 am on Monday the VTZ code and scheduled airline operations moved about 50 km north to the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district. The old airport had been woven into the city's growth and everyday life. A Gazette notification from the Ministry of Civil Aviation issued on July 28 transferred the VTZ code effective August 17 while the Civil Enclave at INS Dega will continue to handle non-scheduled commercial operations including charter and private flights. A General Aviation Terminal has been designated for such services. The airport director announced the end of scheduled services and thanked the Indian Navy, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), airlines, ground handlers and employees. The site began as a Royal Air Force airfield during the Second World War and later hosted civilian operations before the Indian Navy developed it into INS Dega. Over the years the airport expanded its domestic network and introduced international services to Dubai, Singapore and Bangkok, while links to Colombo and Kuala Lumpur were also established. The facility served cargo movement including seafood and shrimp exports. The transition has raised concerns among nearly 800 outsourced employees, including porters, ground staff and housekeeping workers, who face longer commutes and potential wage reductions. Only four out of 24 porters have secured roles at the new airport and about 140 housekeeping staff may find continuation difficult because of the commute; the reported minimum wage at the old site was around Rs 18,000 while offers at Bhogapuram have been near Rs 15,000 and travel costs are expected to increase. A special job fair organised by the local member of parliament drew 36 companies and of 450 candidates about 100 received offers while 150 were shortlisted. Authorities and associations are discussing options for the nearly 350-acre campus including an aviation training centre, a dedicated cargo terminal and improved public transport links.