Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) April 9: Air connectivity from Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), the primary gateway to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has come under pressure with a reduction in flight frequency across major mainland routes, triggering a steep surge in airfares during one of the most critical travel periods for the islands.
Across key sectors, the number of daily flights has seen a noticeable constraint. The Sri Vijaya Puram–Chennai route, which typically serves as the strongest air corridor, is currently operating around five flights per day. The Sri Vijaya Puram–Kolkata sector is functioning with approximately four daily flights. Connectivity to Bengaluru remains limited to just one to two flights a day, while the Sri Vijaya Puram–Delhi route continues to rely largely on two to four connecting flights, with limited or no consistent direct services.
This reduced seat capacity has led to a sharp imbalance between supply and demand, pushing fares to significantly higher levels. One-way airfares from Sri Vijaya Puram to Chennai and Kolkata have surged to between ₹19,000 and ₹25,000, while fares to Delhi have climbed as high as ₹40,000. Even inbound travel has become expensive, with Chennai and Kolkata to Sri Vijaya Puram fares ranging from ₹14,000 to ₹16,000, and Delhi to Sri Vijaya Puram tickets priced between ₹20,000 and ₹25,000.
The timing of this disruption has raised serious concerns, as the islands are currently in the pre-monsoon phase. widely regarded as a peak tourist season. Summer vacations across mainland India typically drive a strong inflow of visitors to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during this period. This window is especially crucial, as tourism activity is expected to decline once the monsoon season begins, bringing rough seas and unfavourable weather conditions that impact travel and outdoor activities.
In this context, any justification citing a decline in tourist footfall during the current period is being viewed as largely baseless. On the contrary, this is the time when flight frequency should be increased to facilitate higher tourist movement, stabilise fares, and maximise economic activity linked to tourism. Instead, the current reduction in flights is seen as counterproductive, effectively restricting access and discouraging travel due to unaffordable pricing.
The issue extends beyond tourism and directly affects residents of the islands. With no rail or road connectivity to the mainland, air transport remains the sole lifeline for accessing essential services such as healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. The steep rise in fares has therefore become a pressing concern for daily life, not just discretionary travel.
Amid growing concerns, the Chairman of the ANTCC Campaign Committee, TSG Bhasker, has raised the issue with the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, seeking urgent intervention. In his representation, he highlighted the “alarming” escalation in airfares and the severe financial burden it places on Islanders.
He noted that the cost of domestic air travel to and from Sri Vijaya Puram has, in several cases, exceeded that of international travel packages to destinations such as Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia, underscoring a stark disparity. Given the geographical isolation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, he described the situation as particularly concerning.
Calling for immediate corrective measures, Bhasker urged the government to consider operating chartered flights during peak travel months such as May and June, reserving 25% of seats at subsidised rates for Islanders, and implementing effective fare regulation mechanisms on these critical routes. He also emphasised the need for constructive engagement with airline operators to address the issue in a comprehensive and sustainable manner.
As the monsoon season approaches, a period typically marked by reduced tourist inflow, the current contraction in connectivity and surge in fares has intensified concerns over planning and responsiveness. With air travel functioning as the lifeline of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, ensuring adequate, affordable, and timely connectivity remains central to both public welfare and the islands’ economic stability.
