Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 28: Air connectivity between the mainland and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is expected to witness a substantial increase in the coming months, with weekly flight operations projected to rise from around 88 in September to more than 175 by December 2026, claimed the Andaman & Nicobar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ANCCI) today.
In a press release, ANCCI President Dr. K. Chandara Sekharan claimed that the Chamber’s tireless and sustained efforts to address the shortage of flights and high airfares between the mainland and the Islands are now beginning to yield positive results. He said the improvement in connectivity would provide a major boost to tourism, trade, business and the island community, which have been facing difficulties due to inadequate flight services, particularly during the monsoon season.
The ANCCI claimed that it had consistently taken up the issue with various authorities and stakeholders. A delegation of the Chamber met the Lieutenant Governor and apprised him of the pressing concerns relating to high airfares and inadequate flight connectivity. The Chamber also submitted a representation to the Union Minister for Civil Aviation seeking an increase in flight frequency to the Islands.
The matter was subsequently taken up with the Union Home Minister, highlighting the difficulties being faced by Islanders due to the shortage of flights and high airfares. ANCCI also approached the Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, seeking appropriate intervention to address the issue.
According to the Chamber, the Member of Parliament was also requested to take up the matter with the concerned Ministry, and the MP has already raised the issue with the Union Minister for Civil Aviation.
The ANCCI further claimed that its delegations met the Airport Director, Secretary (Civil Aviation) and Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Civil Aviation), submitting detailed representations seeking immediate measures to improve air connectivity and ease the difficulties faced by the tourism industry and Islanders.
The Chamber also directly approached representatives of major airline operators, including IndiGo, Akasa Air and Indian Airlines, requesting them to increase flight frequency and capacity on the mainland-Island sector.
The ANCCI stated that it has now been informed that flight operations to the Islands are expected to increase substantially in the coming months. According to the projections shared with the Chamber, around 88 flights per week are expected in September 2026, increasing to approximately 126 flights per week in October and around 147 flights per week in November. The number is expected to cross 175 flights per week in December 2026.
The Chamber described the projected increase as an encouraging development for the tourism industry, business community and Islanders, expressing hope that improved air connectivity would help the Islands record the highest-ever tourist arrivals during the coming season.
ANCCI has also appealed to tourism stakeholders, including hotels, resorts, tour operators, travel agents, water-sports operators, restaurants and transport operators, to make adequate preparations to handle the expected increase in tourist arrivals.
The Chamber urged stakeholders to actively promote the Islands’ tourism attractions, including pristine beaches, parasailing, semi-submarine rides, underwater walks, banana rides, jet-skiing, heritage car rides, sea-kart rides and the unique sandbar connecting Ross and Smith Islands, besides the deep forests and other natural attractions.
ANCCI called upon all stakeholders to work collectively towards providing quality services and memorable experiences to visitors, with the objective of positioning the Andaman & Nicobar Islands among India’s leading tourism destinations.
The Chamber reiterated that it would continue to raise issues concerning trade, commerce, industry and tourism with the competent authorities and pursue measures in the larger interest of the Islands and its people.
