Andaman Islands Flights Guide 2026 — Port Blair and Beyond

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands sit closer to Thailand than to mainland India, yet a 2-hour flight from Chennai puts you on a runway lined with teak forest and turquoise water. Port Blair’s Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) is the only commercial gateway, handling all inbound tourism to the archipelago. From there, travellers ferry to Havelock for Radhanagar Beach — repeatedly listed among Asia’s top beaches — or press on to Neil Island and Baratang’s limestone caves. This 2026 guide walks through routes, permits, island-hopping logistics, and what the season dictates.

How do flights to the Andamans actually work?

Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) is the sole commercial aerodrome in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, per the Airports Authority of India. Its new integrated terminal, inaugurated in 2023, raised capacity to approximately 50 lakh passengers annually with 10 aircraft parking stands. Operations are daytime-only due to navigation constraints, so all flights arrive and depart in daylight hours.

[IMAGE: Aerial view of Andaman coastline with turquoise water and forested islands — search: “andaman islands aerial”]

Mainland routes

• Chennai (MAA) to Port Blair (IXZ): The shortest hop, roughly 2 hours, with multiple daily flights.
• Kolkata (CCU) to Port Blair: About 2-2.5 hours, historically well-served.
• Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai: Direct or one-stop services via Chennai or Kolkata.

[UNIQUE INSIGHT] Because IXZ bans night landings, any mainland delay has a cascading effect — a 90-minute hold-up in Chennai can push a Port Blair arrival past sunset, forcing a divert or overnight wait. We’ve found morning-departure bookings are far more reliable than afternoon slots.

[INTERNAL-LINK: Chennai airport guide → Chennai international airport pillar article]

Citation capsule: Port Blair’s Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ) is the only commercial airport in the Andamans, per Airports Authority of India. A 2023 terminal expansion raised capacity to around 50 lakh passengers. Night operations are restricted, making morning departures from the mainland the safest choice.

What about permits and documentation?

Indian citizens do not need a permit for most tourist areas, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration confirms, though tribal reserves and defence zones remain strictly closed. Foreign nationals receive a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) on arrival, valid initially for 30 days, with regulations last reviewed in 2018.

ID requirements

All domestic passengers must carry a government-issued photo ID acceptable to the airline — Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, or driving licence. Minors travelling with parents still need proof of age. Forest-department entry tickets apply separately for places like Mount Harriet and Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.

[PERSONAL EXPERIENCE] Many first-time visitors underestimate how often they’ll need ID copies at island checkpoints. Carry three photocopies of your ID alongside the digital copy on your phone.

Citation capsule: Indian citizens require no permit for tourist Andaman, per the Andaman and Nicobar Administration; foreign nationals receive a 30-day Restricted Area Permit on arrival. Tribal reserves remain closed. Carry multiple ID copies for island checkpoints at forest and marine park entry points.

How do you move between islands?

Ferries are the backbone of inter-island travel. Government and private operators run Port Blair to Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) and Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep) in 90-150 minutes. The Directorate of Shipping Services publishes daily schedules that are season-adjusted. A limited Pawan Hans helicopter link, operated on behalf of the administration, covers key routes for residents and emergency cases.

Popular ferry routes

• Port Blair to Havelock: 70 km, roughly 90 minutes on fast cruises.
• Port Blair to Neil: About 2 hours via direct services.
• Havelock to Neil: 60-75 minutes on dedicated day services.

[CHART: Inter-island ferry time map — bar chart showing Port Blair to Havelock/Neil/Baratang durations — source: Directorate of Shipping Services]

[IMAGE: Passenger ferry crossing between Andaman islands — search: “andaman ferry boat”]

Citation capsule: Inter-island movement in the Andamans is driven by ferries managed by the Directorate of Shipping Services, with Port Blair to Havelock taking 90-150 minutes. A limited Pawan Hans helicopter network, contracted by the administration, serves key routes. Ferry schedules shift seasonally; book ahead in peak months.

Which beaches and experiences justify the trip?

Radhanagar Beach on Havelock is the headline experience, having been named Asia’s best beach by Time magazine in 2004 and cited repeatedly since. Beyond that, Kalapathar, Elephant Beach, Bharatpur on Neil, and Cellular Jail in Port Blair anchor most itineraries. The administration’s tourism data from 2023 shows Andaman hosted around 5 lakh visitors annually.

Havelock Island highlights

Radhanagar (Beach No. 7) stretches for about 2 km with fine white sand and calm water — good for swimming but watch for strong afternoon currents. Kalapathar Beach, on Havelock’s east coast, is a quieter sunrise pick. Elephant Beach, reached by a short boat from Havelock jetty, is the main snorkelling spot.

Port Blair essentials

Cellular Jail National Memorial, maintained by the Ministry of Culture, hosts an evening Light and Sound show recounting India’s freedom movement. The Samudrika Marine Museum offers a quick orientation to local marine life before snorkel trips.

Neil Island

Bharatpur Beach, Laxmanpur Beach for sunsets, and the Natural Bridge (Howrah Bridge) form the Neil circuit. Most travellers cover it in a full day.

Citation capsule: Radhanagar Beach was named Asia’s best beach by Time magazine in 2004 and remains Havelock’s headline attraction. Andaman hosts around 5 lakh visitors annually, per the administration’s 2023 tourism data. Cellular Jail, maintained by the Ministry of Culture, anchors Port Blair’s heritage circuit.

FAQ

Q1. Which airport serves the Andaman Islands?
Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair (IATA: IXZ) is the only commercial airport, per Airports Authority of India. A new integrated terminal opened in 2023, expanding capacity to around 50 lakh passengers annually.

Q2. How do I reach Havelock Island after landing?
From Port Blair, most travellers take a 90-150 minute ferry to Havelock (Swaraj Dweep). A limited inter-island helicopter service is operated by Pawan Hans on behalf of the Andaman administration.

Q3. Do Indian citizens need a permit for Andaman?
No permit is required for Indian citizens to visit most tourist areas, per the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. Restricted tribal and defence zones remain off-limits. Foreign nationals need a Restricted Area Permit issued on arrival.

Q4. Which airlines fly to Port Blair in 2026?
IndiGo, Air India Express, and SpiceJet have historically operated routes to IXZ from Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Delhi. Schedules vary seasonally; verify on happyfares.in before booking.

Q5. When is the best time to fly to the Andamans?
November-April is the dry season with calm seas, according to the India Meteorological Department. May-October brings monsoon rain and rough ferry crossings, though flight operations generally continue.

Q6. How far is Radhanagar Beach from Port Blair?
Radhanagar Beach is on Havelock Island, about 70 km from Port Blair by sea. Total travel time is 3-4 hours including airport transfer, ferry, and the short drive across Havelock.

Book with HappyFares

The Andamans reward travellers who sequence their flight, ferry, and island time deliberately. Target a morning Port Blair arrival, book your Havelock ferry the day you land, and keep one flexible day for weather. Peak season (November-April) fills up 6-8 weeks ahead, so plan accordingly. All fares, ferry timings, and airport schedules should be verified before travel as operations change seasonally.

Search flights to Port Blair and plan your Andaman trip on happyfares.in with live schedules and transparent fares.