Visakhapatnam airport shuts down, staff in tears at farewell

Visakhapatnam airport ceased operations at midnight on Sunday, with all flights shifting to the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Greenfield Airport at Bhogapuram. Tupaki.com reports that about 80 per cent of the old airport's staff have been let go, leading to an emotional farewell on Monday morning. Women employees in uniform broke down, saying their bond of 15 to 20 years with the airport was being severed, and that their distress was more about losing that connection than the jobs themselves.

The Bhogapuram airport began operations with a flight from Singapore landing late Sunday. However, the contract company at the new facility hired fresh staff, leaving out the Visakhapatnam workforce. Tupaki.com adds that changed regulations also prevented some women from qualifying, though a minister promised alternative arrangements. Full flight services, including IndiGo and Air India, started from Bhogapuram on Monday.