Air India Express links Vizag's new Bhogapuram airport to Bangkok
By Meera IyerGovernance & Policy Editor, Peepals Bharat
Representative image: ThePixelman / Pixabay
Air India Express started twice-weekly non-stop Visakhapatnam-Bangkok flights from the new Bhogapuram airport on October 27, 2026.
What Happened
Air India Express began non-stop flights between Visakhapatnam and Bangkok on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, giving north coastal Andhra Pradesh a direct air link to Thailand. The twice-weekly service flies from the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, which serves Visakhapatnam. The Tourism Authority of Thailand welcomed the inaugural flight, saying the route widens Thailand's reach beyond India's largest metropolitan cities.
Key Facts
- Route: Visakhapatnam (Bhogapuram airport) to Bangkok, operated by Air India Express, from October 27, 2026.
- Frequency: twice a week.
- Outbound flight IX0904 leaves Visakhapatnam on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:35 and reaches Bangkok at 16:00, local time.
- Return flight IX0903 leaves Bangkok on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 02:10 and reaches Visakhapatnam at 03:55, local time.
- Fares: starting one-way economy fares shown on booking sites ranged from about Rs 11,000 to Rs 14,650 at launch; prices change with date and demand.
- The Tourism Authority of Thailand welcomed the first flight as a step in reaching travellers from smaller Indian cities.
Why It Matters
Without a direct flight, travellers from Visakhapatnam and the surrounding districts must change planes at a larger hub to reach Thailand, adding hours and cost. On the published schedule, the non-stop flight takes about three hours, once the 90-minute time difference between India and Thailand is counted. That changes the calculation for holidaymakers, families and small businesses alike.
The route also gives the new Bhogapuram airport an early international connection. Air India said its Visakhapatnam flights would move to the new airport from August 17, 2026, and the airport has been designated an authorised immigration check post, which is required before international services can start. Reports around the opening said no airline had yet announced overseas routes from it, which makes this one of its first international links. New airports need a mix of domestic and overseas routes to build traffic, and a link to Bangkok, one of Asia's busiest air hubs, also opens onward connections to other destinations in the region.
For Thailand, the logic is clear. Indian visitors are an important market, and its tourism authority has said it wants to reach travellers beyond the metros. Direct flights from smaller cities make short holidays easier to plan, especially for first-time international travellers.
The timings are worth noting for passengers. The outbound flight leaves late morning and lands in the afternoon in Bangkok, which is convenient for a same-day hotel check-in. The return flight, however, departs Bangkok in the early hours of the morning, so travellers will need to plan for a late-night airport transfer.
| Flight | Days | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|---|
| IX0904 Visakhapatnam to Bangkok | Tuesday, Friday | 11:35 | 16:00 |
| IX0903 Bangkok to Visakhapatnam | Wednesday, Saturday | 02:10 | 03:55 |
All times are local.
Impact
Short-term: Travellers from Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and nearby districts get a direct option for holidays and business trips to Thailand in time for the winter and year-end travel season.
Long-term: If the flights fill up, the airline could add more frequencies, and other carriers may follow with routes to South-East Asia from Bhogapuram. More international links would support tourism, trade and investment in north coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Who is affected: Leisure travellers and families in north coastal Andhra Pradesh; traders and small businesses with links to Thailand; travel agents in the region; and the new Bhogapuram airport, which needs steady traffic to grow.
Key Takeaway
Air India Express's twice-weekly Visakhapatnam-Bangkok flights, started on October 27, 2026 from the new Bhogapuram airport, give the region a direct link to Thailand and spare travellers a connection through a metro hub.
Questions and Answers
Is there a direct flight from Visakhapatnam to Bangkok?
Yes. Air India Express started non-stop flights between Visakhapatnam and Bangkok on October 27, 2026. The service runs twice a week from the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram.
What are the flight timings?
Flight IX0904 leaves Visakhapatnam on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:35 and lands in Bangkok at 16:00. Flight IX0903 leaves Bangkok on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 02:10 and lands in Visakhapatnam at 03:55, local time.
How much does a Visakhapatnam-Bangkok ticket cost?
Starting one-way economy fares listed at launch ranged from about Rs 11,000 to Rs 14,650 depending on the date and booking site. Fares change with demand, so check the airline's site.
Which airport does the flight use in Visakhapatnam?
It uses the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, which now serves the city.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
By Meera Iyer, Governance & Policy EditorCovers Governance & Policy and more for Peepals Bharat. All stories by Meera Iyer
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Meera Iyer is a pen name of the Peepals Global Editorial Team, which researches, fact-checks and publishes every story. The portrait is an illustration.
