Delegations plan meetings with the MP, Lieutenant Governor and Union Civil Aviation Minister as stakeholders seek increased flight frequency and affordable airfares.
Andaman Flight Crisis: Tourism Stakeholders Announce Further Action After Protest
Port Blair: A day after a protest over reduced flight frequency and rising airfares affecting the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, representatives of tourism and allied sectors held a press briefing at TSG Emerald View, outlining their follow-up plans and calling for continued action to address the island's air connectivity concerns.
The representatives said that following the protest, they met the Director of the Airports Authority of India, the Secretary of Civil Aviation in the Andaman & Nicobar Administration and the Chief Secretary.
According to the speakers, the response from the officials was positive, with the issue being discussed as one extending beyond tourism and affecting several sections of the island economy.
The stakeholders said the flight situation is affecting not only tourism operators but also fishermen, auto and cab drivers, tour operators, private agents and other businesses dependent on the movement of tourists and goods.
They described the issue as having two broad dimensions—supporting the tourism industry and addressing the wider connectivity and infrastructure requirements of Islanders.
Proposal for Subsidised Air Travel
One of the proposals discussed during the meetings was the possibility of making around 25 seats on a flight available at subsidised fares.
The representatives argued that high airfares have made air travel increasingly difficult for both Islanders and visitors.
During the briefing, one speaker cited a figure of ₹77,000 as a subsidy for a single ticket, describing it as information received during the meeting.
The stakeholders questioned whether such expenditure could instead be utilised to make a limited number of airline seats available at more affordable fares for Islanders.
They suggested that a suitable subsidy mechanism could potentially enable some seats to be offered at substantially reduced prices.
The speakers also said that airfares to destinations including Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi had shown some reduction following the protest and argued that continued engagement could result in further relief.
The subsidy figure and airfare changes cited during the briefing were statements made by the participants and have not been independently verified by Dweep Tulika.
Three-Pronged Follow-Up Plan
The forum said the protest would not be treated as a one-day campaign.
According to the announcement, the next phase will include a delegation meeting the Member of Parliament, seeking an appointment with the Lieutenant Governor, and sending a delegation to Delhi to seek a meeting with the Union Civil Aviation Minister.
The proposed Delhi delegation will present the stakeholders' concerns and seek intervention regarding flight connectivity and airfares in the islands.
The representatives also thanked the Chamber of Commerce for submitting its own representation and acknowledged the participation of tourism stakeholders and Islanders in the protest.
Fisheries Sector Raises Concerns
A representative of the fisheries sector highlighted the impact of reduced flight services on the movement of fish.
He said the reduction in flights had affected the sector's ability to transport fish and claimed that the islands had previously been exporting approximately 20 tonnes of fish per day.
He also referred to losses resulting from delays in packing and transporting the produce, saying the situation was affecting employment and the wider fisheries economy.
The representative called for increased flight frequency and lower fares, arguing that improved connectivity would also contribute to the revival of tourist arrivals and benefit hotels and other tourism-dependent businesses.
The figure of 20 tonnes per day was cited by the speaker during the briefing and has not been independently verified by Dweep Tulika.
Tourism Industry Seeks Advance Planning
Another speaker thanked Islanders and tourism stakeholders for participating in the previous day's protest and said the campaign was aimed at protecting the tourism industry.
According to the speaker, the reduction in flights since around mid-May had contributed to difficulties for tourism-related businesses.
He stressed the need to prepare in advance for the next tourism season rather than waiting until the connectivity situation becomes more difficult.
Describing tourism as a major contributor to the island economy, he said stakeholders would continue working together and thanked those who helped mobilise support through WhatsApp groups and other channels.
The speaker also thanked the media for highlighting the concerns and bringing them to a wider audience.
Cab Operators Warn of Wider Economic Impact
The tourist transport sector also raised concerns during the briefing.
A representative said tourist transport operators form an important part of the tourism ecosystem and claimed that a substantial proportion of tourist cab operators were facing financial difficulties, including liabilities under various schemes.
He said losses that may appear relatively small at the individual operator level can become a much larger economic problem when considered across the sector.
The representative appealed to those who were unable to participate in the previous day's protest because of other commitments to support future actions.
He said correspondence with the authorities would continue and that stakeholders would be kept informed about further developments.
“The Forum Will Continue Until a Conclusion”
The representatives indicated that further administrative representations and public engagement would continue until what they described as a definite conclusion is reached.
They appealed to Islanders, the Administration and the concerned ministry to support efforts to address the difficulties being faced by the island economy.
The stakeholders also thanked the media for helping bring the issue to wider public attention.
The press briefing therefore marked a transition from the initial protest to a sustained campaign involving administrative meetings, political representations and a proposed delegation to Delhi.
For the stakeholders, the immediate demands remain increased flight frequency and affordable airfares.
The broader concern, however, extends beyond tourism to fisheries, transportation, employment, trade and other parts of the island economy that depend on reliable air connectivity.
The next significant developments are expected to follow the proposed meetings with the Member of Parliament, Lieutenant Governor and Union Civil Aviation Minister.
Editorial Note: This report is based on statements made by tourism and allied-sector representatives during the press briefing at TSG Emerald View. Figures, claims and assessments attributed to individual speakers have not been independently verified by Dweep Tulika unless otherwise stated.