The airlines are exploiting the opportunity of the popularity of the Islands by increasing the airfares to such high levels that makes it almost unaffordable for tourists to visit Andaman. 

In fact, during high season, one way tickets from Kolkata and Chennai to Port Blair are as high as Rs.20,000 and above.  It is, therefore, high time that the government intervenes in regulating the airfare to Andaman Islands.

There have been many occasions recently when airlines cancelled outbound flights from Port Blair leaving tourists high and dry. Concerned airlines leave passengers in distress to fend for themselves.

Since airlines having cancelled flights do not accommodate the passengers in flights of other carriers or in their own subsequent flights, the visiting new tourists are left with no alternative but to buy new tickets at ridiculously high rates.

Pranav Singh, honorary secretary, HRAEI added that this scenario is doing a big disservice to growth of tourism in the Islands.  It is only likely that on their return, the harried tourists will not stop giving warnings to their friends and relatives of the risks involved in going to Andaman.

Tourism is a major economic activity and source of revenue for Andaman. Tourism will get a shot in the arm if the government would fix a price ceiling for inbound and outbound air tickets for Andaman. Making a killing finding tourists stranded can only kill tourism.

In this context, HRAEI President Sudesh Poddar has written a letter to P Ashok Ganjapathi R, Minister of Civil Aviation urging the government to give direction to airlines that in the event of flight cancellations at Port Blair, they should make alternative arrangements for the stranded passengers and not just leave them in distress.