Port Blair, September 30: The Lt Governor, Lt Gen A K Singh (Retd), called on the Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Pusapati Ashok Gajapati Raju at New Delhi. He discussed a host of issues relating to the Civil Aviation sector in the A&N Islands.
One of the important issues discussed by the Lt Governor relates to the special status for Andaman & Nicobar Islands in RDG/New Civil Aviation Policy which is to ensure all airlines operate to Port Blair as there is no other easy alternative connection from Port Blair to any other city/town in mainland.
This situation cannot be compared to other cities in mainland. He also urged the Minister to take up Car Nicobar as alternative airfield for emergency diversions. Further modernization and expansion of existing helicopter fleet also figured in the discussion.
He apprised the Minister of the need for commencing the night flight to Port Blair. Spice jet has already done the test flight while other airlines, including the Air India need to do so soon.
This is essential to improve connectivity to Port Blair. He also raised the issue of deployment of new aircrafts on Delhi-Vizag-Port Blair sector by Air India, which the Minister agreed to. The Lt Governor also requested for immediately starting Air India chartered flight service on Kolkata-Port Blair sector. On this, the MD, Air India responded positively.
Besides, issues such as introduction of international flights to Port Blair, rationalization of airfares by fixing an upper cap, as the high air-fares especially during the peak season is a big deterrent for development of tourism as well as a burden on the Islanders were also raised with the Minister. He requested the Minister’s intervention on expediting the construction of the New Terminal building at VSI Airport.
The Civil Aviation Minister assured the LG that his Ministry will extend all possible support for the expansion and development of the Civil Aviation sector in the A&N Islands.
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