Port Blair Airport To Remain Shut For Four Days Every Week From March 01

Port Blair’s Veer Savarkar International Airport will remain shut for four days a week starting from 01st March 2022, to 31st May 2022 amid the runway up-gradation and recarpeting work.

The announcement comes after the Civil Aviation Department of issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) to the Andaman & Nicobar Administration.

A number of daily flight operations are expected to be disturbed because of the closure of the runway and recarpeting work.

As of now, more than 12 daily flights operate in and out of the Port Blair airport. Before the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, some 22 flights used to operate here.

The travel trade and association in Andaman are a little unhappy due to the decision of closing of the Veer Savarkar International Airport as it will surely impact the tourism in the state.

The association thinks that the closure will hugely impact tourism in the region. Tourism is an important revenue generator in the region and the decision is likely going to impact the sector.

The Tourism Association of Andaman & Nicobar (TAAN) in a message stated, “Kind request to re-consider NOTAMN C0030/22 wef 01/03/2022 to 31/05/2022 reg RWY closure 4 days a week amidst AAI Port Blair Airport runway maintenance and upgradation work, which may deeply affect the lifeline of the islands.”

The stakeholders are now requesting the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and the Ministry of Defence to reconsider their decision and explore all possibilities to avoid the closure of the runway.