AirAsia is set to operate its first-ever international flight from Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, starting this Saturday, officials announced.
As of now, no international airlines operate flights from Port Blair’s Veer Savarkar International Airport.
In a statement to PTI, Kesavan Sivanandam, Chief Airport and Customer Experience Officer at AirAsia, called the launch a significant milestone. “It is a significant milestone because it will be the first-ever international flight from Port Blair. Our motto is not only looking at commercial viability but also connecting people. I would like to thank the local administration for all their support.”
Tour operators in the Andaman Islands believe that AirAsia’s new flight service to Malaysia will be a game-changer for tourism, both in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Southeast Asia.
Devender Yadav, the Airport Director at Port Blair, expressed his appreciation for AirAsia’s initiative to enhance connectivity between the Andaman Islands and Southeast Asia. “The Airports Authority of India has invested a lot in strengthening both ground and air navigation infrastructure to boost the air connectivity of the region,” Yadav said.
He added that tourism is a key part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ economy, and airports play a crucial role in supporting the region’s growth. The combined efforts of all stakeholders will elevate civil aviation in the union territory, he concluded.