GoAir, IndiGo, Vistara pull out flights, Andaman complains

by IANS |

New Delhi, Aug 23 (IANS) Miffed over withdrawal of flights by GoAir, IndiGo and Vistara to and from Port Blair, the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) administration has asked the Civil Aviation Ministry to direct the erring carriers to stick to the schedule.

With peak October-March flying season approaching, the A&N has also flagged the issue of exorbitant airfares charged by the airlines on flights between Port Blair and mainland cities.

Complaining about the connectivity issues in a video-conferencing with Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the island administration said that domestic airlines charge fares in the range of Rs 15,000-25,000 for flights to Port Blair.

"Even Air India charges very high fare along with other private carriers. Given that air-connectivity is the primary means of transport to the mainland for medical treatment and other emergency needs, the administration has asked the ministry to rein in airlines charging exorbitant fares," an official said.

Sources said that while Go Air pulled out its flight in June from Ahmedabad-Bangalore-Port Blair-Ahmedabad route, full-service carrier Vistara withdrew its flight from Chennai-Port Blair-Chennai sector effective June 16. 

The largest private carrier has pulled out its flight from as many as three cities connecting Port Blair affecting the connectivity with the Union Territory ((UT).

"IndiGo withdrew its flight from Kolkata, Hyderabad and Beangaluru to Port Blair in June. Withdrawal of so many flights has negative impact on connectivity. Ministry should direct airlines to stick to the approved schedule," an A&N official said.

The administration has, meanwhile, urged flag carrier Air India to start direct flight from Port Blair to Bangkok starting October 1.

Counted earlier among the far-flung places requiring special attention to provide air-connectivity, Port Blair has emerged as one of the popular tourist destinations in the last few years. Almost all the scheduled carriers fly to Port Blair riding on high seasonal demand.

Latest News
IPL 2024: 'Sai Kishore did not expect I will go after him off the first ball', says CSK's Shivam Dube Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:55 PM
Talks with Ukrainian FM focused on conflict with Russia, says EAM Jaishankar Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:49 PM
Started my career on shop floor of auto plant: Anand Mahindra to Elon Musk Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:42 PM
Chinese military offers help to Pakistan to curb terrorism Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:39 PM
Kangana Ranaut holds roadshow in Mandi, responds to Supriya Shrinate's 'bhao' jibe Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:36 PM
CPI tries to revive itself by launching ex-IPS officer in UP's Faizabad Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:29 PM
Mandya in Karnataka to witness mega clash between Kumaraswamy and Star Chandru Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:26 PM
I-T seizes unaccounted cash from Kolkata bizman's office Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:24 PM
Byju's EGM on rights issue ends sans objections, dissenting investors skip meet Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:12 PM
Anti-abuse provisions should not be used in receipt of capital from credible investors: Experts Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 03:09 PM
UP: Kamaal R Khan's brother to contest from Saharanpur on BSP ticket Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:59 PM
Pakistan: Alarm bells ring as judicial bodies gear up to protect their judges against 'targeted assault' Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:50 PM
Judicial probe ordered in Mukhtar Ansari's death Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:46 PM
Stories come knocking, characters start whispering to me: Filmmaker Rima Das Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 02:45 PM
Magisterial probe ordered into Mukhtar Ansari's death Fri, Mar 29, 2024, 12:52 PM