Port Blair
Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, marked a historic milestone on Saturday with the arrival of its first international flight. Air Asia’s inaugural flight AK-55 from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, landed at the airport, ending a 22-year wait since it was granted international status.
This marks the beginning of a new chapter for the region’s tourism, which has long been limited by restricted air connectivity. Mohan Vinod, President of the Andaman Association of Tour Operators, expressed his excitement, saying the new international flights would unlock the true tourism potential of the islands.
Captain Fareh Mazputra, Managing Director of Air Asia Malaysia, also celebrated the achievement, calling it a momentous occasion that would open up new travel opportunities for the people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Veer Savarkar International Airport, named after the Indian freedom fighter who was imprisoned at the Cellular Jail, has undergone extensive modernization. The newly opened terminal, designed with a sea-shell motif, can handle up to 5 million passengers annually. It features 28 check-in counters, four conveyor belts, and three aerobridges, making it well-equipped for international travel.
The introduction of international flights is expected to boost tourism and economic growth in the region, making the islands’ rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty more accessible to global travelers.
