Port Blair Veer Savarkar Airport (IXZ) Complete Guide 2026
Where is Port Blair Airport and why does it matter?
Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ/VOPB) sits about 4 km south of Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It’s the islands’ only commercial airport handling scheduled passenger flights, making it the single most important infrastructure link between Andaman and mainland India. A new integrated terminal with a sea-shell roof design opened in 2023, significantly expanding capacity.
For travellers, IXZ is the gateway to the whole Andaman experience: Havelock Island’s Radhanagar beach, Neil Island, Ross Island, Cellular Jail, scuba diving at North Bay, and the rest of this 572-island archipelago. Most tourists arrive, spend a night in Port Blair, and then catch an early ferry to Havelock.
Do Indian citizens need a permit to land at Port Blair?
Indian citizens do not need a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit Port Blair or most tourist areas in the Andaman Islands, following rule changes notified in 2022 that simplified travel for domestic tourists. Only a valid government photo ID is required. Foreign nationals still need a RAP, though it is usually issued free of cost on arrival at IXZ immigration.
What’s still restricted?
- Tribal reserve areas around North Sentinel Island (strictly off-limits for all visitors)
- Nicobar group of islands for tourists, barring limited categories
- Certain defence zones around Port Blair harbour
ID requirements for Indian citizens
Carry any one original government photo ID – Aadhaar, passport, driving licence or voter card. Infants and children must have their birth certificate or school ID. Hotels, ferry operators and some beaches will re-check ID at check-in, so keep it accessible.
Which airlines and routes serve Port Blair?
Port Blair is served by multiple Indian carriers with schedules built around daylight-only operations and tight slot windows. Chennai and Kolkata are the busiest gateways, followed by Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Direct flights from Visakhapatnam operate seasonally. Flight frequencies and airline combinations change often, and Cyclone-season cancellations do happen, so check live status before leaving home.
Typical direct routes to IXZ
- Chennai (MAA) – multiple daily
- Kolkata (CCU) – multiple daily
- Delhi (DEL) – 1-2 daily, often via connection
- Bengaluru (BLR) – daily non-stop or one-stop
- Hyderabad (HYD) – daily
- Visakhapatnam (VTZ) – seasonal
Airlines operating IXZ
Scheduled domestic carriers including IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express and SpiceJet operate routes to Port Blair at various times of the year. Specific airline schedules shift seasonally based on tourism demand, so always use a multi-airline search on happyfares.in rather than checking airlines one by one.
What facilities are available inside the terminal?
Port Blair’s new integrated terminal was designed for around 50 lakh passengers a year and is a significant upgrade over the cramped older building. It has separate arrival and departure halls, conveyor belts for checked baggage, several self-check-in kiosks and ample seating. The airside zone is compact but comfortable, with good island views from the gate area.
Terminal amenities
- Free Wi-Fi across landside and airside zones
- Local cafes and restaurants serving South Indian, North Indian and continental food
- ATMs near arrivals and departures
- Book and handicraft shops featuring Andaman-made products
- Pharmacy and basic medical room
- Accessible toilets, baby-care room and prayer room
Connectivity tips
Mobile data on Andaman can be patchy, especially on the ferry or once you reach Havelock and Neil. Download offline maps, tour vouchers and e-tickets before leaving Port Blair city. Keep physical printouts of hotel confirmations, ferry tickets and permits as a backup.
How do you get from IXZ to Port Blair hotels and the jetty?
Port Blair airport is remarkably close to the city centre – just about 4 km, or a 10-15 minute ride. That proximity makes it easy to land, drop bags at your hotel, and head out to sightseeing the same afternoon. Most transfers use prepaid taxis or hotel pick-up, as there is no metro or suburban rail on the island.
Ground transport options
- Prepaid taxi counter at arrivals
- Hotel-arranged airport pick-up (often free for premium properties)
- Auto rickshaws from just outside the airport gate
- Self-drive car and two-wheeler rentals for extended stays
Getting to Havelock and Neil
To reach Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) or Neil (Shaheed Dweep), you need to catch a ferry from Port Blair’s Haddo Wharf or Phoenix Bay Jetty. Government ferries are cheaper but slower, while private cruise ferries like Makruzz and Nautika cut crossing time to about 90 minutes. Pre-book ferry tickets online, especially in peak season between October and March, and leave at least 2-3 hours between flight arrival and ferry departure.
When is the best time to book Andaman flights and hotels?
Andaman travel peaks from October to April, when seas are calm, humidity drops and dive visibility is excellent. Fares and hotel rates are highest between December 20 and January 5, and again during the Pongal-Sankranti and summer holiday windows. The May-September monsoon shoulder offers cheaper fares but comes with rain, rougher seas and occasional ferry cancellations.
Booking windows
- Peak winter holidays: book 10-14 weeks ahead for the best inventory
- October-November and February-March: 6-8 weeks is usually enough
- Monsoon shoulder: 3-5 weeks, with flexible dates to dodge cyclone days
Itinerary tip
Give yourself a buffer of at least one full day between your return ferry from Havelock and your flight out of Port Blair. Ferries occasionally get cancelled due to sea conditions, and missing an international connecting flight because of an island storm is an expensive mistake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IATA code for Port Blair Airport?
The IATA code for Port Blair airport is IXZ and the ICAO code is VOPB. It is officially named Veer Savarkar International Airport and serves as the primary gateway to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from mainland India.
Do Indian citizens need a permit to visit Port Blair?
Indian citizens no longer need a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit most of the Andaman Islands, including Port Blair, Havelock and Neil. Foreign nationals still need a RAP, usually issued on arrival at IXZ. Certain tribal reserve areas remain restricted for all visitors.
Which cities have direct flights to Port Blair?
Port Blair has direct flights from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, with multiple daily departures from Chennai and Kolkata. Frequencies rise during the winter tourist peak between October and March, and schedules change often.
How far is the airport from Port Blair city?
Veer Savarkar Airport is only about 4 km from central Port Blair, around a 10-15 minute taxi ride depending on traffic. Most hotels in Port Blair and Aberdeen Bazaar are within 15 minutes of the terminal.
How do you reach Havelock Island from Port Blair Airport?
From IXZ, take a taxi to Port Blair jetty (Haddo Wharf or Phoenix Bay) and board a government or private cruise ferry to Havelock, which takes 90-150 minutes. Pre-book ferry tickets in peak season, and allow 2-3 hours’ buffer between flight arrival and ferry departure.
When is the best time to visit Andaman via Port Blair?
October to April is the best time to visit Andaman, with calm seas, good visibility for scuba diving and reliable ferry operations. May-September is monsoon season, with heavier rain, stronger winds and occasional ferry cancellations. Flight fares are cheapest in the May-August shoulder.
Book Your Flights with HappyFares
Ready to plan your Andaman escape? Search and book your Port Blair flights on happyfares.in, where you can compare routes from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bengaluru and more in a single view. Lock in fares early for winter holidays, combine your onward ferry booking, and build a smooth mainland-to-island itinerary. Schedules and fares change often, so search early on HappyFares and secure your seats before the peak rush.
