Andaman & Nicobar Islands May Keep Losing Tourists Until a New Airport Takes Off

Visitors are slowly drifting away from the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, and the reasons are easier to spot than you might think. The Indian government recently shelved plans to stretch the runway of the navy’s INS Baaz air‑strip at Campbell Bay to a full 10,000 feet, a move that many insiders say will keep the islands from reaching their tourism potential for at least the next five years.

Right now, the islands are losing holiday‑makers to places like Thailand. It’s not just the beaches that lure people; it’s the price tag and the certainty of getting there. A one‑way economy ticket from Kolkata to Port Blair’s Veer Savarkar Airport can cost around ₹8,000, while a flight to Bangkok sits just a little higher at ₹9,000‑₹9,500. Add visa‑on‑arrival to the mix, and Thailand looks a lot more attractive, especially when flights to the Andamans are sometimes turned back because of sudden weather changes over Sri Vijaya Puram.

Air India Express and other carriers have had to keep fares up, citing the unpredictability of landings and take‑offs at the island’s sole civilian airport. And there isn’t a backup runway nearby. The existing 4,500‑foot strip at INS Baaz can’t handle the Boeing 737s or Airbus A320s that domestic airlines typically use, meaning larger jets are forced to stick to smaller aircraft with fewer seats – a factor that helps keep prices high.

For more than a decade, officials from the Andaman and Nicobar Administration (ANA) and the Tri‑Services Command have been nudging the centre to extend the Campbell Bay runway and to add basic passenger facilities. Such a move would give airlines a second landing spot, easing congestion at Veer Savarkar and, ideally, bringing down ticket prices.

Instead, the government has cancelled the Campbell Bay project, pointing to environmental worries, tribal welfare concerns, and navigational challenges. The focus has now shifted to a brand‑new green‑field airport at Chingen, near Galathea Bay, as part of the massive Great Nicobar Project. With a price tag of about ₹13,000 crore, the airport is slated to open in 2031 – but logistical snags, like the need to ferry materials, manpower and equipment from the mainland, could push that date further.

“If the runway at Campbell Bay had been upgraded first, we wouldn’t be in this bind,” an ANA insider lamented. “A third airport at Galathea Bay would have given airlines more options, cut fares, and kept tourists coming.”

Until those plans materialise, the islands may continue to watch potential visitors opt for the smoother, cheaper routes abroad. The hope remains that once the new Chingen airport finally lifts off, the Andamans will regain their shine on the tourism map.