Veer Savarkar International Airport in Sri Vijaya Puram

Veer Savarkar International Airport is the main airport of India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It serves Sri Vijaya Puram, the island capital that was previously called Port Blair, and for most visitors it is the only practical way to reach the islands quickly from the mainland. The airport carries the name of the freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. It is a civil enclave: the Airports Authority of India runs the passenger terminal, while the Indian Navy controls the airfield.

Where the Airport Is in Sri Vijaya Puram

The airport lies only about 2 km south of the town centre, so hotels in Sri Vijaya Puram are usually a short drive away. The Phoenix Bay and Haddo jetties, where many inter-island ferries leave from, are also within easy reach by road.

Terminal and Facilities at Veer Savarkar Airport

Passengers use a modern integrated terminal whose curved roof was designed to look like a seashell, a nod to the islands and the sea around them. The building covers around 40,800 square metres and can handle about 1,200 passengers at peak hour. It has 28 check-in counters, four baggage belts and three aerobridges, along with cafés, shops and waiting lounges.

• Codes: IATA IXZ, ICAO VOPB
• Terminal operator: Airports Authority of India
• Airfield: shared with the Indian Navy

Airlines and Routes from Sri Vijaya Puram

Flights are almost all domestic. Several Indian airlines fly here, including IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air. Chennai and Kolkata are the busiest links, and there are also direct services to cities such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai. International service has been limited, so most overseas visitors connect through a mainland Indian airport.

Getting from the Airport into Town

Prepaid taxis and auto-rickshaws wait outside the terminal, and many hotels and tour operators offer pick-ups. Because the town is so close, the ride is usually quick. If you are heading straight to a ferry, tell your driver which jetty you need.

Nearby Attractions in the Andaman Islands

The Cellular Jail, now a national memorial, is the best-known historic sight in town. From the capital, ferries run to islands such as Swaraj Dweep, formerly Havelock, famous for its beaches and diving. Ross Island and North Bay are popular half-day trips.

Travel Tips for Flying to the Andamans

Flights to the islands fill up quickly during the main tourist season, so plan ahead. Keep a photo ID handy, as it is needed to enter the terminal. If you plan to island-hop, try to line up your ferry tickets before you land.

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