โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ), also known as Port Blair Airport, is the primary aviation gateway to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Located just 2 kilometers south of the city center, the airport acts as a critical lifeline connecting the remote archipelago to mainland India. In July 2023, a significant milestone was reached with the inauguration of a new, state-of-the-art integrated terminal building. This modern facility, spanning over 40,000 square meters, is designed to handle up to 5 million passengers annually and incorporates striking shell-shaped architectural elements that reflect the islands' marine environment and natural beauty.
The technical infrastructure at Port Blair is robust, featuring a single 3,290-meter (10,794-foot) asphalt runway (04/22) with ILS capability for low visibility operations. This runway is capable of handling most narrow-body and some wide-body commercial aircraft, supporting a high frequency of flights from major carriers like IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet. The airport operates as a civil enclave sharing airside facilities with the Indian Naval Air Station INS Utkrosh, which manages all air traffic operations in the region. The new terminal is outfitted with 28 check-in counters, four aerobridges, and advanced in-line baggage scan systems, ensuring a high level of operational efficiency and security for domestic and future international traffic.
Passenger amenities within the new Port Blair terminal are world-class, providing a comfortable and high-tech environment for travelers. The terminal encompasses three distinct levels, including a dedicated international passenger security hold and a spacious bus lounge for remote gate operations. Travelers can enjoy a variety of retail and dining options, premium lounges, and modern conveniences such as free Wi-Fi and multiple mobile charging stations. Essential services like currency exchange, nursing rooms, and 24/7 medical assistance are well-integrated into the terminal layout. Its proximity to the city center and the Phoenix Bay Jetty ensures that arriving passengers can reach their hotels or the ferry terminals for onward travel to Havelock and Neil Islands in just a few minutes.
๐ Connection Tips
Connections through Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) are primarily domestic, with the facility serving as the central hub linking the Andaman archipelago to major Indian cities like Chennai (MAA), Kolkata (CCU), Delhi (DEL), and Bengaluru (BLR). Because the airport operates from a newly integrated terminal, 'connecting' here is physically simple, typically involving a transition between domestic gates or moving from the arrivals hall to the city-side ferry transport. For those with a self-connection to a maritime vessel for onward travel to the islands, it is recommended to allow at least three to four hours to account for security re-screening and the transition to the Phoenix Bay Jetty. Ground transportation from Port Blair Airport is well-organized and located directly outside the arrivals hall.
The most reliable and recommended option is the pre-paid taxi booth, which provides fixed-rate fares to various parts of the city and the main ferry terminals. App-based ride-sharing services are not currently active in the islands, so travelers rely on local taxis, auto-rickshaws, and pre-arranged shuttles from their hotels. The drive to the central business district or the iconic Cellular Jail typically takes only 10 to 15 minutes.
For those heading to the harbor for ferry connections to Havelock or Neil, taxis are the fastest way to ensure you meet your scheduled departure. When transiting through Port Blair, travelers should be mindful of the airport's high-security environment and its dual-use nature as a naval base. It is essential to have a printed copy of your itinerary and valid identification ready for multiple checks.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Agatti Airport (AGX) is the exclusive aviation gateway to the Lakshadweep archipelago, a stunning chain of coral islands in the Arabian Sea off the southwestern coast of India. Situated on the southern tip of Agatti Island, the airport is world-renowned for its spectacular and challenging approach, with a single narrow runway that appears to float on a slender strip of land surrounded by turquoise lagoons. The airfield serves as the primary link for tourists and residents alike, connecting the islands with mainland Indian cities such as Kochi and Bengaluru through regular services operated by Alliance Air and IndiGo.
The terminal at Agatti is a compact and functional facility designed to manage the unique logistical requirements of island travel. Given the island's small size, the terminal can accommodate approximately 50 passengers at a time, providing essential services including a streamlined check-in area, security screening, and a comfortable waiting lounge. While it lacks the extensive retail and dining options of mainland hubs, it offers a small cafeteria for refreshments and a first-aid station. The layout is intentionally simple, allowing for rapid boarding and deplaning, which is essential for maintaining the tight flight schedules necessitated by the island's remote location and weather patterns.
Beyond its role in air transit, the Agatti terminal serves as the central coordination point for the complex inter-island transport network of Lakshadweep. Upon arrival, passengers often transition to the nearby boat jetties for onward travel to other popular islands such as Bangaram, Kavaratti, and Kadmat. The airport is also equipped with a helipad to facilitate medical evacuations and seasonal helicopter transfers during the monsoon months when sea travel can be restricted. For visitors, the terminal represents the first step into a protected ecological paradise, where strict entry regulations and limited infrastructure ensure the preservation of the islands' pristine coral environment.
๐ Connection Tips
Agatti Airport is the only air gateway in Lakshadweep, so connections depend on island-entry formalities and onward boat planning more than terminal complexity. Official Lakshadweep travel guidance says flights operate from Kochi, that Agatti is the only island with an airstrip, and that boats or vessels are then used to reach islands such as Kavaratti and Kadmat during the fair season, with helicopter transfers used on some routes during the monsoon if available. In practical terms, Kochi is the hub and Agatti is the transfer point into the islands.
Permit rules matter before the trip even starts. Official Lakshadweep guidance says entry permits are required for tourists, and recent reporting shows the administration has simplified parts of the process while still keeping security verification in place. That means you should not treat the airport like a normal domestic leisure arrival where documents can be sorted out later. Have the permit cleared and accessible before you leave the mainland, because flights and island transfers are capacity constrained.
The last-mile connection is usually by boat, and those timings can shift with sea conditions. Official Lakshadweep material says Agatti boats connect onward to other islands during the fair season, while helicopter transfers may substitute in the monsoon. So the safest plan is to align the Kochi flight, permit status, and island transfer in one coordinated booking. If one of those pieces is loose, Agatti can quickly become an overnight logistics problem rather than a simple beach-airport arrival.
โ Back to Veer Savarkar International Airport / INS Utkrosh