Andaman increases frequency of helicopter services to remote islands

Due to the drop in the number of COVID-19 cases and also keeping in view the requirement of the islands, the Directorate of Civil Aviation, A & N Administration announced on Sunday the increase in the frequency of helicopter services to Inter-Islands, which was reduced since the lockdown.

The new schedule will be effective from February 1, 2021 and the schedule will also cover remote islands like Chowra and Teressa of Nicobar District.

As per the new schedule, there will be four weekly services for Campbell Bay area of Great

Nicobar Island, which is the last landmass of India, on every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday &

Saturday.

For tribal islands Kamorta, Katchal and Teressa there will be four weekly flights on every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

For remote Chowra Island there will be two weekly flights on every Tuesday and Wednesday.

For the headquarter of Nicobar District, the Car Nicobar Island there will be twelve weekly

flights from Monday to Saturday.

Similarly, for Mayabunder, the headquarter of North and Middle Andaman there will be six

weekly flights from Monday to Saturday.

For Diglipur, the northernmost landmass of A & N Islands, there will be five weekly flights on

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

For Rangat, Middle Andaman there will be one weekly flight on every Thursday. For Hutbay

there will be four weekly flights on every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

And for tourist hotspot Swaraj Dweep, the services will be available on Monday and Saturday.

Further, all passengers intending to travel to destinations in Nicobar District are to undergo RTPCR Test prior to travel and only those passengers who test negative will be allowed to travel.

Besides, passengers travelling to Little Andaman, Mayabunder, Diglipur Rangat and Swaraj Dweep shall also be tested for COVID-19 under Rapid Antigen Test and those who test negative will be allowed to travel.

As per details, the RTPCR/Rapid Antigen Test will be conducted on the payment of Rs 200/ - per person which has to be borne by the individual passenger, except government servant on

official duty and medical patient along with an attendant.