In an improvement to air travel to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, night flight operations have resumed at Port Blair. On 28 June 2024, an Airbus A321 successfully landed at the defence airfield INS Utkrosh of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) at 19:00 hours, carrying passengers who were subsequently disembarked at the Veer Savarkar International Terminal. This achievement marks a pivotal step in enhancing air connectivity, benefiting the island’s residents and boosting tourism.
This milestone has been realised through the persistent efforts of the Indian Navy, ANC, and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) over the past few years. Significant upgrades have been made to the airfield, transforming it into a precision airfield equipped with advanced navigational aids. The comprehensive enhancements include runway resurfacing and the installation of a Precision Lighting System with approach lights. Concurrently, AAI has upgraded the Instrument Landing System (ILS) to CAT-I standards and developed the modern Veer Savarkar International Airport to handle the expected increase in tourist traffic.
All airfield facilities have been meticulously commissioned and calibrated with AAI’s assistance. New approach procedures have been formulated, validated, and approved for operational use by AAI, culminating in the successful night landing of the Airbus A321. This resumption of night flight operations at Port Blair follows a previous attempt on 21 January 2016, when GoAir’s Airbus A-320 made a historic night landing at INS Utkrosh Airfield at 2:00 am. Despite the initial success, these services were discontinued after a few years. The renewed focus on enhancing air connectivity through night operations underscores a significant commitment to improving accessibility and supporting the economic growth of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The reintroduction of night flights is expected to have an important impact on the region, improving connectivity for island residents and resulting in a substantial increase in tourism. This development aligns with broader efforts to modernise infrastructure and enhance the overall travel experience for visitors.
