Bengaluru, 14 April - AirAsia has discontinued its only international flight to Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) in Port Blair, the capital of India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The route, which connected Port Blair directly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was a short-lived but notable milestone for the island territory, marking its first international commercial service when it launched on November 16, 2024. The decision to terminate this route, effective as of April 2025, has raised concerns about the region’s tourism prospects, economic growth, and the airport’s status as an international gateway. The move underscores the challenges of sustaining air services to remote destinations, even those with significant tourism potential.
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The Port Blair–Kuala Lumpur flight, operated as AirAsia flight AK55, was inaugurated with much fanfare, symbolizing a new era for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The service was seen as a vital link to boost tourism, facilitate business travel, and provide access to medical facilities in Malaysia for island residents. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, known for their pristine beaches, rich marine biodiversity, and historical significance, have long relied on tourism as a key economic driver. The direct flight to Kuala Lumpur was expected to attract more international visitors, particularly from Southeast Asia, by offering a convenient and affordable travel option. Additionally, the route held promise for local residents, who previously had to rely on connecting flights through mainland Indian cities like Chennai or Kolkata to travel abroad. AirAsia’s decision to axe the route came abruptly, with no official statement detailing the reasons behind the cancellation. Industry observers speculate that low passenger demand, high operational costs, or logistical challenges may have contributed. Port Blair, despite its appeal as a tourist destination, is geographically isolated, located over 1,300 kilometers from mainland India in the Bay of Bengal. Operating flights to such a remote location involves higher costs, including fuel, crew positioning, and maintenance, which may not have been offset by ticket sales. The route’s short lifespan—barely five months—suggests that the airline may have struggled to achieve the load factors needed to justify its continuation.
The termination of the flight leaves Veer Savarkar International Airport without any international services, casting doubt on its “international” designation. The airport, which primarily handles domestic flights to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, had positioned itself as a growing hub with the addition of the Kuala Lumpur route. Its infrastructure, including customs and immigration facilities, was upgraded to accommodate international operations. However, with no other international carriers stepping in to fill the gap, the airport now faces an uncertain future as a global gateway. The impact of the cancellation extends beyond the airport’s operations. Tourism stakeholders in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands worry that the loss of the international connection could deter foreign visitors, who may find the multi-leg journeys through mainland India less appealing. Local businesses, including hotels, tour operators, and dive centers, had anticipated a surge in arrivals from Malaysia and neighboring countries. The route’s discontinuation may force them to recalibrate their expectations and focus solely on domestic tourism, which, while robust, cannot fully compensate for the loss of international revenue.
For residents of the islands, the end of the Port Blair–Kuala Lumpur flight means reduced access to international destinations. Many had welcomed the service as a way to bypass lengthy layovers in mainland India, particularly for medical trips or family visits abroad. The absence of a direct international link could exacerbate the sense of isolation felt by the island’s population, who already contend with limited connectivity options. AirAsia’s withdrawal from Port Blair reflects broader challenges in the aviation industry, particularly for low-cost carriers operating niche routes. While the airline continues to expand in other markets, including new services from Indian cities like Kochi to destinations such as Phuket, the decision to cut the Port Blair route highlights the delicate balance between ambition and profitability. For the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the loss of their only international flight is a setback, but it may also spur efforts to attract other airlines or explore alternative connectivity solutions to keep the islands on the global map.