Port Blair, Dec. 18: CPI (M) has demanded additional flights between Port Blair and mainland sectors considering the exorbitant flight fare and non-availability of tickets.  In a letter sent to the Chief Secretary, A & N Administration, Shri D. Ayyappan, CPI (M) State Secretary drew the attention of the Chief Secretary to the non-availability of air tickets for the people of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and exorbitant air fare in the Port Blair – mainland sector flights being operated by Air India and other private airlines.

He stated in the letter that with the beginning of Christmas vacation, a large number of students studying in various educational institutions on the mainland propose to visit their homes in A & N Islands. He further also informed the Chief Secretary that a number of people who want to avail specialized medical treatment at mainland hospitals are also unable to proceed to mainland due to surging airfare on daily basis.  

CPI (M) informed the Administration that at present, as per the website of Airlines, a single ticket from Port Blair to Chennai costs more than Rs. 20,000/- while no tickets in any flight are available from Chennai to Port Blair. Shri Ayyappan told the Chief Secretary that Islanders, particularly those belonging to lower strata of the society are unable to travel by air. He said that CPI (M) has been getting frantic calls from people stranded at Chennai about the non-availability of tickets in any flights.  

Hence, the CPI (M) urged the Chief Secretary to intervene in the matter and direct all the Airlines operating between Port Blair-mainland sectors to schedule additional flights to cater to the needs of the passengers especially for the islanders during the months of December, 2022 and January, 2023.