Port Blair, the capital city of Andaman and Nicobar Islands occupies a prominent place in Indian historical perspective. It reiterates the tales of bravery and indomitable determination of the great freedom fighters of India such as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Veer Savarkar. Veer Savarkar is remembered as a staunch advocate of Hindutva and a proponent of the idea of a Hindu Rashtra. His contributions to the Indian independence movement and his endurance during his incarceration in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have earned him the title of Veer, which means brave. In 1909, Savarkar was arrested in London for his revolutionary activities against British rule in India. He was sentenced to two life terms and 50 years of rigorous imprisonment and moved to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Savarkar endured harsh conditions and brutal treatment during his incarceration. His life translated to isolation and brutality in Cellular Jail, where he endured forced labour and inhumane treatment. The airport has been named after this very great and valiant personality, Veer Savarkar International Airport.

 

New Face of Veer Savarkar International Airport, Andaman

Veer Savarkar International Airport

 A stupendous amount of 800 crore has been assigned towards modernization and development of the new Andaman Airport. The able leadership and vision of the Indian government has already taken into cognizance the rapid increase in the influx of tourists and travelers, both international and domestic to this picturesque land where there is a beautiful blend of peace, serenity, blue oceans, green forests and remarkable natural beauty.

Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is being overhauled by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to be more receptive, capable and voluminous, striking to create more buzz. A multi-phase master plan is going to see the light of the day to ultimately cater to 5 million passengers per year in the future. Port Blair is the enchanting and historically rich capital island of the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair, is a Civil Enclave but it is under the control and management of the Indian Navy in which the Passenger Terminal Building and Apron is solely administered by AAI.

Features of Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, Andaman

Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair

  • Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is currently a massive airport that is constructed over a sprawling area of 40,837 square metres.
  • The new and more technologically equipped airport is able to cater to 1200 passengers every single hour which is six times more than the previous strength of the airport.
  • It is designed to cater to 50 lakhs passengers every year with its improved facilities.
  • It is conceptualized to be built across three floors where there are 28 check-in counters, 3 passenger boarding bridges or aerobridges, 4 conveyor belts, and the apron parking capacity has been increased to 10 with facilities for 8 Airbus 321 and 2 Boeing 767-400.
  • The airport was completed in June 2023 and was inaugurated on 18 July 2023.
  • The frontal façade of the airport has been lined with cable net glazing and is being constructed with a mosaic of glass panels of an astounding 4000 different shapes. This will enable the airport to be lighted up naturally through filtered sunshine across the glass.
  • The external design of the airport has been visioned to gel with the theme of the archipelago and has the imprint of sea marked over it. It is being built in the shape of an open oyster shell. This terminal of the airport will showcase the beauty of the life beside sea and has big murals, paintings, art and craft pieces that reflect the diverse flora and fauna of Andaman Islands.
  • Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has a VIP Lounge which can make your stay more comfortable and enjoyable when you are traveling either for business or pleasure. The lounge provides free Wi-Fi, cool drinks and snacks. It has a comfortable seating arrangement and a selection of periodicals and newspapers to enable you to spend some quality reading time.
  • The terminal was constructed at a cost of Rs. 710 crore.
  • An apron for Boeing-767-400 and Airbus 321 Aircraft was constructed for a sum of 80 crore.
  • The shell design has been inspired by the sea and islands all around.
  • The terminal is scintillating with double insulated roof, skylights, choicest range of LED lighting and low heat gain glazing for increased sustainability.
  • The airport has now been provided with a rainwater catchment area, on-site sewage treatment plant and also a 500 KW solar power plant.
  • Though the Veer Savarkar International Airport operates a civil enclave, it has provision of sharing facilities with INS Utkarsh of the Indian Navy.

Advantages of a More Developed Airport

The state-of-the-art building of Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, Andaman now has a sustainable design and modern infrastructure. The airport is expected to improve connectivity of Andaman with the mainland and also with the outside world many times more. The stronger connectivity and networking will improve the visibility of the island as a premium tourist destination and also will help boost the economic condition of the local inhabitants. The occupations such as agriculture and the agrobased industries, education and local handicrafts, marine-based industry will be strategically boosted through this newly conceptualized airport.

Additional Facilities of Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, Andaman

Veer Savarkar

This airport has a stunning new shell-shaped terminal that is both eye-catching and pleasant to eyes. Passengers can now happily shop for duty free commodities such as liquor, tobacco, perfume, cosmetics, camera, watches, soft drinks and more from the attractive shops lining the airport space. Other facilities such as rest rooms for transit passengers, bank, tourist counter, rent a car counter and post office are also available in this Airport.

Inauguration of New Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, Andaman

runway Veer Savarkar airport andaman

Operations at the new terminal building of the Port Blair airport began with an inaugural ceremony. A special cultural programme was organised at the new terminal to celebrate the commencement of operations. Various tribal dance forms were showcased and the flyers were welcomed with flower bouquets and traditional ‘aarti and tilak’ on the first day. They were also presented with Nicobari traditional hats made of palm fronds as reported by the various news agencies and media.

The terminal became operational with the arrival of an IndiGo flight from Chennai. The flight, 6E-6213, landed at the Veer Savarkar International Airport with 83 passengers at 7.10 in the morning followed by the second plane of Air India. The flight, AI-549, landed at 7.20 in the morning with 84 passengers from Chennai was the second to arrive. The IndiGo plane departed as the first one from Port Blair, at 7.35 am with 159 passengers for Chennai.