Veer Savarkar International Airport

The airport is small but reasonably well-maintained for its size — you can tell they make an effort with cleanliness. Security was a bit chaotic during peak morning hours when multiple flights were boarding simultaneously, and the queues spilled into the check-in area. The food options are honestly disappointing — a couple of small counters with stale sandwiches and overpriced chai, which feels like a letdown after a gorgeous Andaman trip. Staff were helpful and friendly though, which made the wait more bearable.

The airport is compact but reasonably well-maintained for a remote island destination. Security queues can get surprisingly long during peak tourist season — I waited nearly 40 minutes before my IndiGo flight to Chennai. Food options are very limited and overpriced, just a small canteen with average samosas and tea, so grab a meal in Port Blair town before you arrive.

Flew out of Port Blair on an IndiGo flight back to Chennai and the drop-off area is surprisingly smooth — no congestion and enough space to unload luggage without drama. Parking is limited but manageable if you arrive early. My main gripe is that post-security there is almost nothing to eat; one small counter was shut entirely and the other had very basic items at airport prices. For a tourist gateway to such a beautiful destination, the terminal interiors need more investment.

Honestly pleasantly surprised by how clean and tidy IXZ is — the washrooms were well-maintained even during a busy Sunday morning rush, which is rare for smaller Indian airports. The staff were genuinely warm and helpful, one ground crew member even helped my elderly mother navigate to the boarding gate. My only gripe is the drop-off zone gets chaotic with taxis and autos all jostling for space, definitely needs better management.

Honestly surprised by how clean and pleasant Veer Savarkar airport is — the floors were spotless both times I passed through, and the toilets were well-stocked and fresh, which is rare even at bigger airports. The staff were genuinely warm, a security officer even helped me repack my bag with a smile. Do NOT rely on the free WiFi though — it barely connected and dropped every two minutes, so download your entertainment before you arrive. Food is limited but the South Indian snacks counter had decent idlis if you catch them fresh.

As an NRI visiting the Andamans for the first time, IXZ felt more like a large bus terminal than an international airport — the name is somewhat aspirational! The so-called free WiFi was completely non-functional both times I tried connecting, and the single food counter ran out of decent options by 9 AM. Security was efficient though, and for a small airport parking was manageable without too much hassle.