Andaman and Nicobar to get country’s first-ever water aerodromes

The Andamans might soon be home to the country’s first-ever water aerodromes. As per the reports, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is in the process of seeking environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for three, first-of-its-kind water aerodromes in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Reportedly, AAI is planning to develop water aerodromes in Swaraj Island, Shaheed Island, and Long Island with a total investment of INR 50 crores and sought clearance for preparing the Terms of Reference (ToR) separately for three airports.These airports are part of the 10 water aerodromes that the centre is planning to develop. Reports state that the Civil Aviation Ministry recently informed that it has invited bids for three unserved airports/airstrips in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and one under-served airport on the Lakshadweep Island in the fourth round of regional air connectivity scheme. The Director General of Civil Aviation also issued licensing norms last year for water aerodromes, from where planes can take off and land.
It is expected that incoming tourists at the proposed project locations will eventually lead to an increase in the footfall of tourists, thereby boosting tourism and hotel business in the region.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is planning to operationalise 1000 routes and more than 100 airports in the next five years. The same will be achieved by first focusing on the priority areas. AAI would further focus on developing the no-frills airport in the future, whereas routes connecting such airports would be prioritized for the Viability Gap Funding award. The market would also be incentivised to ensure short-haul routes are not ignored and help build better connectivity to nearby airports.