Sri Vijaya Puram, June 13: Veer Savarkar International Airport (VSI Airport) in Sri Vijaya Puram will celebrate Yatri Suvidha Diwas on June 15 with a series of passenger-centric initiatives, awareness programmes and community outreach activities aimed at enhancing passenger experience and showcasing the airport’s commitment to service excellence.
The event will bring together airport stakeholders, passengers and frontline personnel through programmes designed to promote convenience, connectivity and sustainable airport development. The celebrations will also highlight the airport’s role as the primary aviation gateway connecting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with mainland India.
As the Union Territory’s only commercial airport, Veer Savarkar International Airport plays a crucial role in facilitating tourism, trade, medical evacuations, disaster response operations and overall socio-economic development. Over the years, the airport has witnessed significant growth in passenger traffic and air connectivity, reflecting the increasing importance of the Islands within India’s aviation network.
Airport authorities said passengers arriving at the terminal on Yatri Suvidha Diwas will be welcomed with traditional hospitality, including a ceremonial tika reception. Special programmes have also been planned to recognise the contribution of housekeeping personnel and women professionals working across various airport agencies and stakeholder organisations.
The recognition programme aims to acknowledge the efforts of employees who contribute daily towards maintaining safe, secure and efficient airport operations. Officials said such initiatives help strengthen teamwork and encourage service excellence among airport staff.
In addition to passenger engagement activities, community outreach programmes, including a health camp, will be organised as part of the celebrations. The airport administration has positioned the event as an opportunity to strengthen ties with the local community while promoting awareness about passenger facilities and airport services.
Over the past few years, Veer Savarkar International Airport has introduced several modern passenger-friendly facilities aimed at improving convenience and travel experience. These include the Digi Yatra platform for seamless passenger processing, AVSAR assistance services, dedicated Kids Zones, Flybrary facilities, laptop workstations, free Wi-Fi connectivity and recliner seating arrangements.
The airport also operates modern in-line baggage handling systems designed to streamline passenger movement and reduce waiting times. These facilities form part of broader efforts to improve operational efficiency and create a more comfortable travel environment.
A major milestone in the airport’s expansion journey came in July 2023 with the inauguration of the New Integrated Terminal Building. The modern terminal significantly enhanced the airport’s infrastructure and increased its peak-hour passenger handling capacity to approximately 1,200 passengers.
Officials noted that safety and operational reliability continue to remain key priorities for the airport. Advanced infrastructure, including Instrument Landing System (ILS) facilities and modern security systems, supports aircraft operations while ensuring compliance with national and international aviation standards.
The airport functions in a geographically challenging island environment, making adherence to safety protocols and operational preparedness particularly important. Authorities stated that airport operations are conducted in accordance with standards prescribed by aviation regulatory bodies, ensuring secure and efficient air travel services.
Sustainability has also emerged as a major focus area in the airport’s development strategy. Several green initiatives have been implemented to reduce environmental impact and support sustainable aviation practices.
Among these measures is a rooftop solar power plant capable of generating more than seven hours of clean energy daily, helping reduce dependence on conventional power sources. The airport terminal has also been designed with sustainability and resilience in mind, earning recognition under green building standards.
The structure is engineered to withstand major seismic activity and incorporates features aimed at improving energy efficiency and environmental performance.
Airport officials said Yatri Suvidha Diwas will serve as an occasion to celebrate these achievements while reaffirming the airport’s commitment to providing safe, secure, sustainable and world-class aviation services.
As passenger traffic continues to grow and tourism expands across the Islands, Veer Savarkar International Airport remains central to improving connectivity and supporting the broader development aspirations of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
