Tourism industry flags recurring disruption
Sri Vijaya Puram, November 4: The Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO) has sought the intervention of the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands over what it describes as repeated last-minute cancellations of SpiceJet flights to and from the Union Territory.
In a representation submitted by its president, M. Vinod, the association said the cancellations were causing serious difficulty for visitors and tourism-related businesses. It also warned that recurring disruption to air connectivity could harm the image of the Islands, where travel arrangements depend heavily on flights scheduled well in advance.
The concern comes at a time when the tourism sector is already dealing with persistently high airfares, according to AATO. The association said sudden cancellations add another layer of uncertainty for visitors planning journeys to the Islands, with the effects extending beyond the airline booking itself.
Bookings made across several services
Tourists generally organise more than one service before travelling to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. According to the representation, visitors reserve accommodation, cruises, local transport, sightseeing and other tourism activities as part of a single itinerary. A flight cancellation close to the date of travel can therefore unsettle arrangements that involve several different providers.
AATO said such cancellations can leave tourists facing financial loss, inconvenience and disappointment. A disrupted arrival or departure may affect hotel reservations, cruise bookings and transport plans, while operators handling those services also face the uncertainty of changes made at short notice.
The association did not present the matter as an isolated occurrence. It said similar cancellations had reportedly taken place repeatedly and that the issue had previously been raised with the authorities in search of a permanent remedy. The latest representation asks that the matter be taken up through the appropriate channels.
| Concern raised | Likely effect identified by AATO |
|---|---|
| Last-minute SpiceJet cancellations | Disrupted travel plans and inconvenience for visitors |
| High airfares | Additional pressure on tourism demand and travel budgets |
| Uncertainty over scheduled journeys | Losses for hotels, cruises, transport and other operators |
| Repeated disruption | Damage to confidence in the Islands as a destination |
Connectivity and local livelihoods
For an island destination, the reliability of scheduled air services has a direct bearing on the wider visitor economy. Accommodation providers, transport operators, cruise services and sightseeing businesses plan their operations around confirmed arrivals and departures. AATO said the impact of cancellations is consequently felt not only by individual passengers but across the network of enterprises serving tourists.
The association stated that thousands of people dependent on tourism could be affected when visitors develop a negative impression of the destination. It cautioned that travellers who experience repeated uncertainty may be discouraged from returning or from recommending the Islands to others, potentially affecting future demand.
The representation also acknowledged the efforts of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to promote and develop tourism. However, AATO said those initiatives were being undermined by cancellations occurring at the last moment. In its assessment, destination promotion cannot be separated from dependable connectivity and predictable travel arrangements.
Request for accountability and relief
AATO has asked the Lieutenant Governor to facilitate action with the concerned authorities to reduce such cancellations and establish greater accountability on the part of the airline. It has also sought suitable alternative arrangements and relief for passengers affected by disruptions.
The association's requests, as outlined in the representation, are focused on three immediate areas:
- steps to minimise cancellations close to the scheduled departure;
- clearer accountability when services are cancelled; and
- alternative travel arrangements and relief for affected passengers.
The representation does not indicate any final decision or response from the airline or the Administration. The matter now rests with the concerned authorities for examination. For travellers and island businesses, the issue remains closely tied to the reliability of the routes on which advance bookings and seasonal tourism plans are built.
As AATO's appeal makes clear, the disruption is not limited to a missed flight. It can unsettle an entire chain of arrangements stretching from the visitor's first booking to the local businesses expecting that visitor's arrival. In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where connectivity shapes both the travel experience and the flow of tourism income, the association is seeking a response that provides greater certainty to passengers and operators.
