Dr. Dinesh
As the summer vacation approaches, a time when islanders traditionally reconnect with family, attend social obligations, or seek specialized medical care on the mainland, the skies over Sri Vijaya Puram are growing quieter. A series of abrupt flight withdrawals by major carriers has constricted a vital lifeline, leaving residents of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands grappling with uncertainty, inconvenience, and rising costs.
Until recently, connectivity between Chennai and Sri Vijaya Puram was maintained through seven flights operating in both directions. Today, that number has been significantly reduced. Two flights operated by Air India Express have been withdrawn from 1st March 2026, through 14th November 2026. SpiceJet ceased operations on this route from 20th February, 2026, while IndiGo suspended services from March 1st onward.
The pattern is not limited to Chennai. Direct connectivity from Bhubaneswar was discontinued from 28th February. Flights from Visakhapatnam will cease after 15th April. IndiGo had also halted operations connecting Sri Vijaya Puram to Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru from 1st April, further isolating the islands from major metropolitan hubs. However, in a late development on 1st April at 9 p.m., IndiGo reintroduced its Hyderabad and Bengaluru flights for the months of April and May 2026, offering a limited but much-needed relief.
Even the Kolkata route, historically one of the most crucial corridors, has not been spared. IndiGo reduced its frequency from three flights to two from 1st March. Air India Express cut down to a single flight, while SpiceJet withdrew two of its services altogether. The cumulative effect has been a dramatic shrinkage in seat availability at a time when demand is predictably high.
This contraction in capacity has triggered a sharp escalation in airfares. For islanders, whose dependence on air travel is not a matter of choice but of necessity, the consequences are severe. Travel for leisure may be deferred, but journeys for medical treatment, education, employment, or emergencies cannot be postponed. Families that plan for months, even years, now find their budgets strained beyond feasibility.
The issue has not gone unnoticed. The Member of Parliament from the islands, Bishnu Pada Ray, has taken up the matter with the Union Government. At the same time, political voices across the spectrum, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress, and Communist Party of India (Marxist), along with leaders such as TSG Bhaskar and D. Ayyappan, have raised concerns over connectivity and the rising burden on islanders, reflecting a rare convergence on a matter of public distress. The demand to increase the permissible baggage limit from 15 kg to 25 kg further underscores the unique logistical challenges faced by residents of remote island territories.
Yet, these representations, while necessary, are not sufficient. What is unfolding is not merely a seasonal adjustment in airline operations but a systemic vulnerability in regional connectivity. Airlines, driven by commercial viability, may recalibrate routes based on demand and profitability. However, when such decisions disproportionately impact geographically isolated populations, the role of the state becomes critical. If the government is unable to effectively cap airfares, it must, at the very least, ensure that flight services are not withdrawn in a manner that inevitably drives fares even higher.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are not just a tourist destination; they are home to thousands of citizens whose access to the mainland is mediated almost entirely by air and sea. In such a context, ensuring stable, affordable, and predictable air connectivity must be treated as an essential service rather than a market-driven luxury.
Policy instruments, such as viability gap funding, route dispersal guidelines, and fare caps during peak seasons, may need to be revisited and reinforced. Greater regulatory oversight could help prevent abrupt withdrawals while incentivizing airlines to maintain minimum service levels on critical routes.
At stake is more than convenience. It is equity, access, and the fundamental right of citizens in remote regions to remain connected to the rest of the country. As summer approaches, the silence in the skies over Sri Vijaya Puram is not just a logistical concern; it is a reminder of the distance, both physical and administrative, that still separates the islands from the mainland.
Without timely intervention, that distance may only grow wider.
*Dr. Dinesh is a Dental Surgeon and freelance journalist committed to highlighting social and public issues affecting island communities.