India
Visakhapatnam to Get Direct Bangkok Flights Starting October 27
Visakhapatnam's Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram is set to receive its first international flight service on October 27, marking what local air travellers describe as a significant development for the region. Air India Express will begin operating direct, non-stop flights between Visakhapatnam and Bangkok starting that date, following years of advocacy by local organizations.
Andhra Pradesh's industrial and commercial hub has long faced limitations in international air connectivity despite housing a substantial pharmaceutical industry, a major port, expanding IT sectors, and a significant seafood export market. Travelers and business delegations have typically needed to transit through Hyderabad, Chennai, or New Delhi before catching international connections.
The new Visakhapatnam-Bangkok route addresses this gap. It comes after continued efforts by the Andhra Pradesh Air Travellers Association (APATA) and fulfills a longstanding request from the north Andhra region. The association states that direct access to Thailand's capital could benefit several economic sectors.
According to the released flight schedule, Air India Express will run the service twice weekly. Flight IX 904 will depart Visakhapatnam at 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday and Friday, arriving in Bangkok at 4 p.m. local time. The return flight, IX 903, will depart Bangkok at 2:10 a.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays, reaching Visakhapatnam at 3:55 a.m. Introductory one-way economy fares will range from ₹16,300 to ₹19,400, accommodating both weekend travelers and business commuters.
APATA noted that the new route extends beyond tourism benefits for those visiting Thailand's beaches or Buddhist heritage sites. Seafood exporters and pharmaceutical manufacturers operating in the Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone are expected to benefit from improved cargo transport options. The route could also support medical tourism, potentially attracting patients from Southeast Asia to north Andhra's growing hospital network while facilitating travel for regional professionals heading abroad.
Ahead of the October 27 launch, APATA representatives K. Kumar Raja, O. Naresh Kumar, and D.S. Varma characterized the development as a milestone for the city. "It signals that Visakhapatnam is no longer just a regional player, but an emerging international gateway ready to claim its rightful place on the global aviation map," they said.