Veer Savarkar Airport Welcomes First International Flight, Ushering New Era for Andaman Tourism

Port Blair: Air Asia's inaugural international flight, AK-55 from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, landed at Veer Savarkar International Airport in Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), Andaman & Nicobar Islands on Saturday.

This marks culmination of a 22-year-long wait since airport was granted international status. arrival of this flight is a milestone for region's tourism sector, which has long been hampered by limited air connectivity.

Mohan Vinod, President of Andaman Association of Tour Operators, expressed his delight at development. He stated that long-awaited launch of international flights would unlock islands' true tourism potential and acknowledged significant contributions of government and Air Asia in making this dream a reality.

Managing Director of Air Asia Malaysia, Captain Fareh Mazputra said, “I am very excited. Today is inaugural flight. This opens up market for people of Andaman and Nicobar.”

Renamed in 2002 to honour freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who was imprisoned in Port Blair's Cellular Jail during India's independence struggle, Veer Savarkar International Airport has undergone extensive modernization.

Its state-of--art terminal, inaugurated on July 18, 2023, features a unique sea-shell-inspired design and is equipped to handle up to 5 million passengers annually.

terminal boasts several vanced features, including three dedicated levels for arrivals, departures, and waiting lounges.

It houses 28 check-in counters, four conveyor belts, and three aerobridges, with capacity to accommodate 1,200 passengers during peak hours. This enhanced infrastructure positions airport to serve as a hub for growing international connectivity.

With this new connectivity, Andaman & Nicobar Islands are poised to attract more global travellers, driving growth in tourism and related industries.

region's rich cultural heritage and breath-taking natural beauty are now more accessible than ever, offering immense opportunities for economic development and global recognition. 

(Except for heline, this story has not been edited by Republic and is published from a syndicated feed.)