AirAsia Launches First International Flight from Port Blair to Kuala Lumpur
In a historic move, AirAsia is set to operate its first international flight from Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, starting Saturday. This marks the first-ever international air service from Veer Savarkar International Airport, which until now had only domestic flights. The launch is expected to strengthen connectivity between the islands and Southeast Asia, opening up new travel opportunities for residents and tourists alike.
Kesavan Sivanandam, Chief Airport and Customer Experience Officer at AirAsia, expressed excitement over this milestone, highlighting that the airline’s goal goes beyond commercial viability—it is about connecting people. He also thanked the local administration for their support in making this achievement possible. The new route is expected to significantly enhance tourism prospects for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as tour operators believe it will be a game-changer for the region’s tourism industry.
Devender Yadav, the Airport Director of Port Blair, also praised the initiative, emphasizing the Airports Authority of India’s substantial investment in improving both ground and air navigation infrastructure. He noted that strengthening air connectivity is crucial for boosting the region’s tourism sector, which plays a central role in the local economy. The successful launch of this international flight is expected to be a catalyst for more aviation developments in the region.
The introduction of AirAsia’s international flight is seen as a collaborative effort among various stakeholders to advance civil aviation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is anticipated that this new service will foster economic growth by enhancing travel and tourism between India and Southeast Asia.
