Port Blair, Feb 14: The President of Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO) Mr. M.Vinod has expressed concern on the directions of Andaman & Nicobar Command to shut down the civil airport of Andaman & Nicobar Islands for 4 days every week starting from March to May 2022.
The reason is the re-carpeting work of the runway. A NOTAM was issued in this regard. He said that the decision will be catastrophic for the Andaman Islands’ economy, people’s welfare and livelihoods.
In a letter addressed to Home Minister, Defence Minister and Civil Aviation Minister, Mr. Vinod highlighted that Veer Savarkar International Airport is the lifeline of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. A significant part of the trade & commerce of the Islands relies on daily operational flights. Closure of the airport will also lead to helplessness and chaos amongst the medical patients who need immediate attention unavailable in the Islands.
He also mentioned that the Tourism was closed on 11.01.2022 by the local administration and reopened on 08.02.2022. Tourism of Andamans relies exclusively on the airport. Tourists do not travel by the shipping route. Closure for 4 days every week will kill the tourism industry which is already struggling to survive after repeated closures due to Covid.
