Port Blair, Jan 02: The Ministry of Home Affairs Govt of India vide notification dated 31st December 2018 has declared the Veer Savarkar International Airport as an authorized Immigration Check post for entry into/exist from India with valid travel documents for all classes of passengers. For this purpose, the Superintendent of Police (CID), Andaman & Nicboar Police has been appointed as the ‘Civil Authority’ for the purpose of the immigration check post.
The Administration has taken up various measures to facilitate better and seamless connectivity. This decision of the Central Government will open up the Port Blair Airport for direct international flight and immigration facilities.
Efforts are being made for early operation of international flights from the Veer Savarkar Airport, Port Blair and also extending facilities of e-visa and visa on arrival. The Administration has taken up the matter with the Central Government to extend incentives for operating international flights from the Veer Savarkar Airport which include following:
a) Exemption of VAT on ATF for International flights departing from Port Blair airport.
b) Exemption of Exercise Duty on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) for international flights departing from Port Blair airport.
c) Exemption/Concession on GST on tickets.
d) Waiver of Passenger Service Fee (PSF) by AAI for passenger travelling in international flight departing from Port Blair airport.
The Administration requested the Central Government to extend incentives for operating international flights from the Veer Savarkar Airport which also include allowing stopover for the flights destined to/from South-East Asia. The Central Government has been requested that since presently Air-India is permitted to carry domestic passengers in International Flights, the above incentives may be extended to Air India for international flights connecting Port Blair with any of the International destination. Further once the Cabotage rule is relaxed the same may be extended to all the operators who operate international flights to Port Blair.
The inflow of tourist in the islands has been increased phenomenally. During 2018, the number of Tourists was more than five lacs including about 5000 foreign Tourists. By operating international flights from the Port Blair Airport and by providing better Tourism Infrastructure, the huge potential of foreign tourist may be tapped which will provide substantial direct and indirect employment to the local youths in the Islands. One Five Star resort has already started operation during the year 2018 while three more Five Star resorts and one four star resort will come soon in view of the holistic development initiatives being steered by the Island Development Authority. The Lt. Governor of A&N Islands who is also Vice-Chairman of the Island Development Agency (IDA) is closely monitoring the projects related to holistic development of these islands. 
