Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 09 July 2024
In a heartfelt appeal to the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, the President of Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO), Mr. M Vinod has highlighted pressing concerns regarding air fare and flight connectivity affecting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The letter, addressed to the Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, emphasises the need for immediate resolutions to enhance tourism and support local entrepreneurs in the Union Territory (UT).
Mr. Vinod, President of AATO, expressed congratulations to the Minister for leading the Ministry during the NDA Government’s third tenure and underscored the critical role of affordable air travel in boosting both tourism and economic opportunities in the remote archipelago.
Key points raised in the letter include:
1. Impact of High Air Fare: During peak seasons, exorbitant air fares, reaching up to Rs. 48,000 per sector, divert tourists to neighbouring countries offering cheaper alternatives, thereby impacting local tourism revenue.
2. Emergency Travel Costs: Islanders face exorbitant costs, sometimes in lakhs, for emergency medical travel to cities like Chennai, Vizag, or Kolkata due to high flight fares.
3. Economic Impact on Tourism: Local entrepreneurs in the tourism sector are severely affected by reduced tourist inflows attributed to high flight costs.
4. Infrastructure Challenges: Despite the inauguration of a modern airport by Prime Minister Modi, essential facilities such as aerobridges and night landing capabilities remain non-utilised.
5. Operational Incentives: Flight operators benefit from lower parking charges and reduced VAT on aviation fuel, yet high ticket prices persist.
Proposed Solutions:
The AATO proposes several measures to alleviate the situation:
1. Ticket Price Cap: Implementing a ticket price cap of Rs. 5,000 for sectors like IXZ-MAA, IXZ-CCU, IXZ-VTZ, and vice versa to make air travel more affordable for Islanders.
2. Reserved Quotas: Mandating that 30% of flight seats be reserved for Islanders, verified through Islander Cards issued by local administrations.
3. International Connectivity: Introducing international flights is expected to drive down domestic fares by enhancing competition and operational efficiency.
4. Expanded Connectivity: Advocating for direct flights to additional cities such as Varanasi, Ayodhya, Trivandrum, and Madurai to broaden tourism and economic linkages.
The appeal concludes with a call to establish a committee comprising tour operators, flight operators, MPs, and representatives from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to examine and recommend measures for fare reduction and policy improvements in the public interest.
Mr. Vinod expresses optimism that addressing these issues will align with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of accessible travel for all Indians, bridging the affordability gap between domestic – A & N Islands and international airfares.