The Andaman and Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee has announced a public dharna at Sri Vijaya Puram airport on Thursday, September 3, at 8:30 AM to protest what it describes as an acute rise in airfares and the curtailment of flight services to the islands.
Party cites steep fares, reduced services
Addressing a press conference, TSG Bhasker, Chairperson of the Committee's Campaign Committee, said residents, tourists and businesses are facing serious difficulties because of limited air connectivity and rising ticket prices. He said fares on some mainland sectors have become unaffordable for ordinary travellers, citing average fares of around ₹17,500 on the Chennai sector and fares ranging between ₹35,000–₹45,000 on routes to Delhi in certain cases.
“When there is demand, there has to be supply,”
Bhasker alleged that airlines have sharply reduced the number of flights to the islands, creating a mismatch between demand and available capacity which, he argued, is fuelling the steep fare increases.
Economic and social consequences highlighted
The Congress leader emphasised that the flight shortage extends beyond passenger inconvenience. He said tourism, the islands' largest industry, is being affected and listed a range of local livelihoods that depend on steady visitor movement: hotels, taxi and auto-rickshaw operators, airport transfer services, boat operators, vegetable and fish vendors, and other small businesses.
Bhasker also pointed to repercussions for the local e-commerce ecosystem, asserting that delayed movement of goods has hampered online businesses and delivery services and discouraged prospective visitors from planning travel to the islands.
What the protest seeks to achieve
The dharna is being staged to highlight these difficulties and press for corrective action. The Committee framed the issue as one of supply not meeting demand, a situation it described as untenable for the islands, which have limited alternatives to air travel.
- When: September 3, 8:30 AM
- Where: Sri Vijaya Puram airport
- Main grievances: Sharp rise in fares and reduction in flight frequency
- Economic sectors affected: Tourism, transport services, local vendors and online deliveries
Officials and carriers not quoted
The press conference and announcement were reported by the Congress committee; there was no immediate statement from airline operators or government authorities in the report. The extent to which carriers have reduced scheduled services, and whether any regulatory or administrative response is planned, was not detailed in the source material.
Context and practical implications
Air connectivity is the primary mode of access for most travellers to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Substantial increases in ticket prices and fewer flights can raise the cost of travel for residents needing to access mainland services, and deter tourism during peak and shoulder seasons. A sustained mismatch between demand and capacity could also constrain cargo and e-commerce movements that rely on air links for timely deliveries.
| Issue | Reported impact |
|---|---|
| Higher airfares | Fares reported around ₹17,500 (Chennai) and up to ₹35,000–₹45,000 (Delhi routes) |
| Reduced flights | Alleged sharp cut in services creating supply–demand mismatch |
| Local economy | Tourism-dependent businesses, vendors and delivery services affected |
What residents and travellers should note
Travellers planning visits to the islands should monitor flight schedules and fare trends closely and be prepared for higher costs or limited seat availability in the near term. Residents dependent on regular air travel for essential services may wish to follow announcements from local authorities and carrier advisories for any changes. The Congress committee's dharna is scheduled to be a public demonstration of the issue; attendees should expect a visible political protest at the airport precinct.
The report did not list any formal demands presented to the administration or carriers, nor does it include responses from airlines or government departments. Further updates may follow if officials issue statements or if the protest prompts a policy or operational response.
