Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 03: A peaceful protest by islanders against soaring airfares and declining air connectivity is underway near the Veer Savarkar International Airport, with citizens gathering with placards and raising slogans over the growing difficulties caused by expensive and limited air travel to and from the mainland.
The protest brings together residents from different sections of the island community, including people who depend on regular mainland travel for medical treatment, education, business and other essential purposes. Protesters said the combination of fewer flights and sharply increased airfares has made mainland travel increasingly difficult and unaffordable for ordinary islanders.
The impact, however, extends beyond passengers travelling out of the islands.
Tour operators, adventure and water-sports activity providers, cab drivers and others associated with the tourism economy are also participating in the protest, highlighting the direct economic consequences of reduced air connectivity. According to those involved, the decline in tourist arrivals from the mainland has led to cancellations and fewer bookings, affecting businesses and daily incomes dependent on tourism.
For tourism-linked businesses, the issue is not merely about the price of an air ticket but about the viability of the entire local economy that depends heavily on visitors arriving by air.
The protest is also being held at a significant time, as a Parliamentary Committee is currently visiting the islands and is scheduled to leave today. Protesters said holding the demonstration near the airport is intended to provide a symbolic representation of the concerns of islanders before the committee as it departs.
The protesters are also planning to move from the entrance gate of the airport near the ITF Ground towards the exit gate on the opposite side, near Lemon Tree. The movement is aimed at drawing the attention of senior officials and public representatives who may pass through the airport.
The protesters are seeking more than an immediate response to the present crisis. They want the concerns surrounding air connectivity and airfare to be addressed through a long-term solution rather than temporary measures.
With placards in hand and slogans highlighting the difficulties faced by islanders, the gathering has remained peaceful, while the message from the protesters is clear: air connectivity is not a luxury for the islands, but an essential lifeline connecting the islanders to the mainland.
The protest comes amid growing concerns over the reduction in flight operations and the resulting rise in airfares, which residents and tourism stakeholders say is placing pressure on both household finances and the island economy.
Protesters hope that the demonstration will draw the attention of policymakers and authorities and lead to sustained measures to improve connectivity, increase flight availability and make air travel more affordable for both island residents and visitors.
