Dr. Dinesh
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are among India’s most sought-after tourist destinations, yet their air connectivity remains constrained by a limited number of daytime flights. Despite increasing passenger demand, high airfares continue to burden residents, tourists, students, business travellers and patients requiring urgent medical care on the mainland.
It is time to make full use of the infrastructure already available at Veer Savarkar International Airport.
The airport is equipped with an Instrument Landing System (ILS) and the necessary facilities for night operations. Aircraft have landed safely during night hours in the past without any significant operational difficulties, demonstrating that the infrastructure is already in place. What is required now is the policy decision and airline commitment to introduce scheduled night services.
If scheduled night operations initially appear challenging for multiple routes, even the introduction of one daily night flight each from Kolkata and Chennai would be a game changer for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These two cities serve as the primary gateways to the mainland, and the additional night services would significantly increase seat availability, help moderate airfares through improved supply, provide greater flexibility for passengers, and enhance connectivity for tourists, students, patients, business travellers and island residents. Once the demand and operational success of these services are established, airlines could gradually expand night operations to other major destinations such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi and Mumbai.
The economic case is equally compelling. Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) is subsidised at Veer Savarkar International Airport, reducing operating costs for airlines. Coupled with growing passenger demand and the island’s expanding tourism sector, this provides a favourable environment for airlines to expand operations and improve aircraft utilisation through night schedules.
The benefits extend far beyond economics. For critically ill patients requiring specialised treatment on the mainland, a night flight could mean faster access to life-saving medical care. For tourists, additional flight options would enhance convenience and transform the overall travel experience. Visitors arriving late in the evening could stay overnight in Srivijayapuram and board the first morning ferry to Swaraj Dweep (Havelock) or Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island), eliminating the need to rush immediately after landing. This would reduce travel fatigue, ensure seamless ferry connections, and provide a valuable buffer against flight delays. At the same time, overnight stays would increase occupancy in hotels and guesthouses, generate additional business for restaurants, taxi operators and tour operators, and encourage tourists to spend more time in Srivijayapuram, creating a positive economic ripple effect across the islands. Students, government employees, defence personnel, entrepreneurs and island residents would also benefit from greater flexibility in travel.
The islands also remain underserved in terms of international connectivity. AirAsia once operated direct international flights between Port Blair and Kuala Lumpur, taking advantage of the strategic location of the islands. However, the service was discontinued after a short period. Since then, no scheduled international passenger flights have operated from Veer Savarkar International Airport. Until international services become commercially viable once again, maximising domestic connectivity through regular night operations offers the most practical means of increasing passenger traffic, supporting tourism and generating additional revenue for airlines, the airport and the local economy.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands should not allow valuable aviation infrastructure and existing policy incentives to remain underutilised. Public investment in modern navigation systems, airport infrastructure and ATF subsidies should translate into better connectivity, lower airfares and tangible public benefits.
Night flight operations are not merely about extending airport hours. They are about improving affordability, strengthening tourism, supporting emergency healthcare, enhancing regional connectivity and unlocking the full economic potential of the islands. The infrastructure exists, the demand is evident, and the incentives are already in place. The opportunity should not be missed.
(The author is a Dental Surgeon & freelance Journalist)