Port Blair, AirAsia plans to start operations from Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia this November, officials said on Thursday.
Currently, Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair does not support international flights.
Tour operators anticipate that AirAsia's Port Blair-Kuala Lumpur route will be a game-changer for tourism in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Southeast Asia. According to officials, local authorities have already waived landing charges for Malaysia-based AirAsia at the airport, anticipating positive economic impacts.
Speaking to , Civil Aviation Secretary in Port Blair, Vishwendra, said: “I welcome AirAsia’s decision to start Port Blair-Kuala Lumpur flight services and hope that more international flights will operate from the island in the future. We have decided to provide all kinds of support to make this happen."
Initially, AirAsia plans to operate flights three times a week between Port Blair and Kuala Lumpur. Departures from Port Blair are scheduled around 11:00 a.m. and arrival in Kuala Lumpur at 4:15 p.m. Flights from Kuala Lumpur depart at 10:40 am and arrive in Port Blair at 10:25 pm, according to the AirAsia brochure.
With its hub in Kuala Lumpur, AirAsia is widely recognized as a leading global low-cost airline, operating more than 1,500 weekly flights to ASEAN countries, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and more.
M Vinod, president, Association of Andaman Tour Operators (AATO), highlighted the importance of stakeholder support for the sustainability and success of the new route. He urged local administrations to provide all necessary assistance to aviation companies to ensure smooth international operations.
Vinod said: "The proposed introduction of AirAsia flights between Port Blair and Kuala Lumpur is good news for islanders. This initiative has the potential to connect Port Blair with more than 30 cities in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). and beyond".
Currently, Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair does not support international flights.
Tour operators anticipate that AirAsia's Port Blair-Kuala Lumpur route will be a game-changer for tourism in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Southeast Asia. According to officials, local authorities have already waived landing charges for Malaysia-based AirAsia at the airport, anticipating positive economic impacts.
Speaking to , Civil Aviation Secretary in Port Blair, Vishwendra, said: “I welcome AirAsia’s decision to start Port Blair-Kuala Lumpur flight services and hope that more international flights will operate from the island in the future. We have decided to provide all kinds of support to make this happen."
Initially, AirAsia plans to operate flights three times a week between Port Blair and Kuala Lumpur. Departures from Port Blair are scheduled around 11:00 a.m. and arrival in Kuala Lumpur at 4:15 p.m. Flights from Kuala Lumpur depart at 10:40 am and arrive in Port Blair at 10:25 pm, according to the AirAsia brochure.
With its hub in Kuala Lumpur, AirAsia is widely recognized as a leading global low-cost airline, operating more than 1,500 weekly flights to ASEAN countries, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and more.
M Vinod, president, Association of Andaman Tour Operators (AATO), highlighted the importance of stakeholder support for the sustainability and success of the new route. He urged local administrations to provide all necessary assistance to aviation companies to ensure smooth international operations.
Vinod said: "The proposed introduction of AirAsia flights between Port Blair and Kuala Lumpur is good news for islanders. This initiative has the potential to connect Port Blair with more than 30 cities in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). and beyond".