MP Urges Increased Frequency of Indian Air Force Dornier Aircraft Service to Enhance Connectivity in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Tarun Karthick

Campbell Bay, 06 June 2023

Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, the Member of Parliament representing Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has appealed to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor of the area to reinforce the frequency of the Indian Air Force Dornier plane service to be able to enhance connectivity between Port Blair, Car Nicobar, and Campbell Bay.

The current service, collectively operated by the Directorate of Civil Aviation and the Andaman and Nicobar Command, has been instrumental in enhancing air transportation to the distant Nicobar District.

In a letter addressed to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, Mr. Sharma expressed appreciation for the present Indian Air Force Dornier plane service, which at the moment operates twice per week on the Port Blair – Car Nicobar – Campbell Bay and Campbell Bay – Car Nicobar – Port Blair routes. Since its launch on August 5, 2016, the service has served as a lifeline for the residents of Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the service resumed operations in November 2021 and has persistently demonstrated reliability and effectivity.

Given the scattered geography of the Islands and the related transportation difficulties, the Member of Parliament urged the Hon’ble Lt. Governor to think about growing the frequency of the Indian Air Force Dornier plane service.

He proposed both a every day service or, at a minimal, 4 instances per week on the Port Blair – Car Nicobar – Campbell Bay and Campbell Bay – Car Nicobar – Port Blair routes.

Mr. Sharma highlighted that the Indian Air Force Dornier plane service at the moment operates on point-to-point routes with runways and important inhabitants density. By growing the frequency of this service, the at the moment operated helicopter service might accommodate extra passengers from smaller islands equivalent to Nancowry, Katchal, Kamorta, Teressa, Hut Bay, Saheed Dweep, Swaraj Dweep, North Andaman, Middle Andaman, and so forth., and conduct further sorties to distant islands with out runways.

He emphasised that with the upcoming operation of the International Airport Terminal, commerce and commerce actions within the area are anticipated to obtain a big enhance, making a larger want for environment friendly inter-island transportation within the close to future.