AIR INDIA FLIGHT ACHIEVES FIRST SUCCESSFUL NIGHT LANDING AT PORT BLAIR AIRPORT

NEW DELHI: An Air India flight, carrying 68 passengers, made a successful night landing at Port Blair Airport, marking a significant milestone for air connectivity to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. According to anofficial statement, the Air India Airbus A321 landed at INS Utkrosh on Friday evening.

INS Utkrosh, under the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), shares the premises with Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair.

The Andaman and Nicobar Command released a statement mentioning, "The aircraft departed from Kolkata at approximately 5:40 pm and successfully landed in Port Blair at 7:34 pm. The aircraft then proceeded to Veer Savarkar International Terminal to disembark passengers."

This successful night landing is a major advancement in enhancing air connectivity to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, promising benefits for local residents and a boost to tourism. The achievement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Indian Navy, Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) over the past few years.

The AAI upgraded the Instrument Landing System (ILS) to CAT-I at Veer Savarkar International Airport to accommodate the anticipated increase in tourist inflow.

"Utkrosh Airfield is fully equipped for both day and night operations. Beyond its strategic significance, these developments are crucial for improving regional connectivity and strengthening the 'Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik' (UDAN) scheme," said a senior official from the Andaman and Nicobar Command.

The official also encouraged private airline operators to maximize the use of the night landing and takeoff facilities at Port Blair airport.