By Dr. Dinesh
For the people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the distance from the Indian mainland is not merely measured in nautical miles. It is a daily reality shaped by geography, logistics, and cost. The archipelago has no railway line connecting it to the rest of the country. The sea, with its limited and slow passenger services, and the skies, with their increasingly restrictive baggage rules, remain the only dependable passage. In such a scenario, airlines must re-examine the logic behind limiting standard baggage allowances to 15 kilograms and tightening hand baggage norms on flights to and from Sri Vijaya Puram.
Until a few years ago, several airlines acknowledged the unique constraints of the island community and allowed 25 kilograms of free check-in baggage. The concession was practical and humane. Over time, however, competitive pricing strategies and uniform baggage policies have eroded this consideration. Islanders students returning with books and essentials, families carrying groceries and medicines that are either unavailable or costlier locally, and patients travelling for treatment, now bear the burden of steep excess baggage fees. For many households, the cost of travel has quietly become prohibitive.
The situation is compounded by the tightening of hand baggage allowances, often restricted to 7 kilograms including personal items. Passengers from the islands frequently travel with delicate goods, food items, small electronics, or medicines, that are safer in the cabin rather than in the aircraft hold. The argument here is not one of privilege. It is one of geographical necessity and equitable policy. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an integral part of India’s strategic and cultural map. The Centre’s own initiatives, improved air connectivity, tourism promotion, and infrastructural development, recognise the islands’ importance. For such efforts to be meaningful, the everyday needs of residents must be addressed with sensitivity.
Reinstating a 25 kg standard check-in baggage allowance on routes directly connecting Chennai, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Goa and Bengaluru would be a modest yet significant step. Allowing more flexible hand-baggage norms, especially for medical and essential personal items, would further ease the travel experience. Importantly, airlines need not worry that such allowances would lead to disproportionate load issues; in practical terms, a substantial proportion of passengers, (backpackers), business persons nearly 30% to 40%, typically travel with less than 7 kg of hand baggage. This naturally balances the overall weight, making the measure both reasonable and feasible.
These adjustments should not be seen as special concessions, but as a continuation of public-oriented policy for a geographically exceptional region. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), along with airline operators, must consider creating route-specific baggage guidelines for geographically isolated regions such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands & Lakshadweep sectors.
A one-size-fits-all approach does not serve a diverse nation.
A community’s connection to the mainland should not feel like a financial burden. Ensuring reasonable baggage allowances is not merely a matter of convenience, it is a matter of accessibility, dignity, and fairness. The islanders are not asking for more. They are simply asking for what is reasonable.