22 years later, Veer Savarkar Airport welcomes 1st int’l flight

The airport, just 2 kilometres from Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, was given international status in 2002. Twenty-two years later, it welcomed its first international flight from Malaysia, Air Asia’s inaugural AK 55. Starting November 16th until October 25th, 2025, Air Asia kicked off three flights weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

The Airports Authority of India upgraded the Veer Savarkar Airport to grade II from III earlier this year, thus granting it more autonomy and administrative prowess for development.

The airport inaugurated a new state-of-the-art terminal on July 18, 2023, well-equipped to handle 5 million passengers every year. It has three levels for arrivals, departures, and waiting lounges. With 28 check-in counters, three aerobridges, and four conveyor belts, the terminal can accommodate 1200 passengers during peak hours.

Seashells inspire the new terminal design, and it is among the largest clear-span enclosure airports in the country.