Port Blair, July 18: A Civil Aviation Conference to discuss various issues related to air connectivity to Andaman & Nicobar Islands was held at New Delhi on 18th July, 2014. The Conference was chaired by Shri Anand Prakash, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration in presence of Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Shri Anil Srivastava, Joint Secretary and CMD of Pawan Hans, Shri Alok Sinha, Chairman, AAI and Shri Mohan Jeet Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Civil Aviation, A&N Administration.
The Conference was attended by Sr. Executives of Air India, Alliance Air, Jet Airways, Spice Jet, Go Air, Air Costa, Air Asia, Club Air, A.R. Airways and the President and members of Andaman Chamber of Commerce & Industries.
While welcoming the participants to the conference, the Chief Secretary informed that the Hon’ble Lt. Governor was very keen to attend this conference, as being so important. However, due to some other sudden urgent occupation he is unable to attend the conference. The Chief Secretary thereafter opened the meeting and highlighted the prevailing issue of high air fare on mainland – Island sector and prospects for increasing the frequency of flights to Port Blair and developing international connectivity.
He specifically requested the Air India to come forward and reduce the airfare, as being the national carrier and similarly, other airlines should also to rationalize the fare. He further informed that with a view to provide affordable air travel to the Islanders, the A & N Administration is in the process of operating chartered flights. But, the tender floated by the Administration in the past could not get any response from the airlines.
He informed that the tender will be floated again shortly and requested the airlines to participate in the tender so that the much needed services can be put on place to benefit the Islanders. Hon’ble Member of Parliament gave a brief back ground of A&N Islands and highlighted the importance of the Islands from historic point of view. He requested the airlines to relook into the fare structure on Port Blair sector and bring down the air fare to an affordable limit, as the Islander are often required to travel to mainland for various social and medical urgencies. He informed that the aviation fuel is very cheap in Port Blair as compared to the price in mainland. The benefits the Airlines get on this account should be passed on to the traveler. He also highlighted the significance of international connectivity to Port Blair for promotion of Tourism and economic development of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Shri Alok Sinha, Chairman, Airport Authority of India (AAI) highlighted the developmental initiatives taken by AAI and said that the construction work of new integrated terminal building is on priority list of AAI. Foundation stone for the building will be laid in August 2014 and the target set for completion of the work is 48 months. He further informed that AAI has already taken up the work for installation of glide path for the instrument landing system at the Airport and after required earth cutting and leveling of the ground, the equipment will be installed and commissioned in three months time from completion of earth cutting work.
Thereafter, Shri Mohan Jeet Singh, Commissioner-cum- Secretary, Civil Aviation made a Power Point Presentation covering various civil aviation issues like Air connectivity to Port Blair, rationalization of airfare on mainland island sector, developing international connectivity from Port Blair, Air connectivity to other places in India, construction of new terminal building at Airport, night landing facility at Port Blair and modernization of fleet of helicopters. During the presentation the Go Air was specifically asked to give reasons for suspension of their flights between Kolkata-Port Blair and Chennai-Port Blair w.e.f 15.6.2014 and 30.6.2014 respectively. The Commissioner, Civil Aviation further informed that during 2007-08 there were about 11 to 13 flights per day to Port Blair. During this period the tourism in Andaman was on its peak. As regards to airfare offered on Port Blair sector, the airlines were requested to fix an upper cap for the fare and the fare band offered on this sector should be shared with A & N Administration. Also the airline should inform the number of seats offered in each bucket starting from Low fare to high fare and the low fare seats to be given to Administration for offering it to the Islanders. It was also brought out that the Administration has made arrangement through ANIIDCO for buying of low fare seats from the airlines in advance for issuing it to the islanders. But only, Go Air and Jet airways have responded to the proposal and other airlines are yet to respond. Further, the airlines were informed about the tourism venture in Andamans by major players like Taj Group and CGHS, which will give a fillip to tourism in coming years. Shri. Kamal Kikani, Vice president of Go air informed that the suspension of flights during monsoon was purely a technical decision due to prevailing high tail winds. He further, informed that as part of incentive to Islanders, they have already introduced islanders fare between Port Blair – Chennai and Port Blair – Kolkata Sector. Under this facility, an Islander can avail 30% discount on the basic airfare. Other Airlines like Spice jet, Jet Airways and Air India have assured that they will also explore the feasibility to provide similar kind of fare concession to the Islanders.
Further, the Airlines assured that they will explore the feasibility of introducing International flights and commencement of night operation to Port Blair after the necessary safety risk assessment in consultation with DGCA. The Airlines like Air Asia, Air Costa and Club air have also shown their interest towards introducing flight services to Port Blair. While Shri Anil Srivastava, CMD of Pawan Hans has assured to replace the existing helicopters with the latest State -of – the – art Dauphin AS 365 N3 Helicopters.
