Sri Vijaya Puram, July 30: The Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO) has urged the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to intervene in addressing what it described as inadequate flight connectivity and exceptionally high airfares to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, warning that the twin challenges are adversely affecting tourism, reducing visitor arrivals and threatening the livelihoods of thousands of people dependent on the sector.
In a letter submitted to the PMO on July 23, 2026, AATO sought the Prime Minister’s intervention to strengthen air connectivity, expand flight capacity and make air travel to the Islands more affordable. The association said these measures are essential for enabling the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to realise their full tourism potential.
The representation acknowledged the Central Government’s infrastructure initiatives in the Islands, including the inauguration of the new Integrated Terminal Building at Veer Savarkar International Airport, investments in road and bridge infrastructure, improved digital connectivity and efforts by NITI Aayog to promote tourism-led development. According to the association, these initiatives have strengthened confidence in the Islands’ potential to emerge as a globally recognised tourism destination.
Despite these developments, AATO said the tourism industry is facing significant challenges due to limited flight availability and high airfares. The association stated that only five to six flights currently operate to the Islands each day, which it described as insufficient to meet existing demand.
According to AATO, the high cost of air travel is discouraging domestic tourists from choosing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a holiday destination. It said the resulting decline in tourist arrivals is affecting businesses across the tourism sector and creating uncertainty for thousands of families whose livelihoods depend directly and indirectly on tourism.
In its submission, the association requested four specific measures from the Prime Minister’s Office. These include increasing the number of daily flights to the Islands, introducing night flight operations to improve passenger capacity and connectivity, establishing international flight services to Sri Vijaya Puram with a preferred stopover at Chennai or Kolkata, and directing the Ministry of Civil Aviation to convene a meeting with airline operators and tourism stakeholders to develop a long-term solution to flight shortages and high airfares.
The association also stated that air connectivity is critical for the Islands, describing it as essential not only for tourism but also for economic activity, employment, healthcare access, education and the overall well-being of the island population.
AATO expressed confidence that the concerns raised in its representation would receive consideration, stating that timely intervention could support the revival of the tourism sector while contributing to the economic development of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
