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The Indian government has planned a dual-use international airport on Great Nicobar to serve strategic and tourism needs. The airport will operate as a military airfield under the Indian Navy while AAI manages civil operations. Positioned close to international destinations like Sumatra and Phuket, it is expected to improve connectivity and attract tourists. The airport site is along the southern coast, with a north-south runway orientation and flight paths mainly over the sea. The project is part of a larger development plan including a transshipment port and defense infrastructure, anticipating a population increase to 6,50,000 by 2050.
The central government has drafted an ambitious plan to construct a dual-use greenfield international airport on Great Nicobar, aiming to strengthen national security while promoting tourism in the region. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the airport indicates that it will function as a military airfield under the Indian Navy's control for airside operations and air traffic control, while the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will manage the civil apron and passenger-related facilities. Advertisement
Great Nicobar, the southernmost and largest island of the Nicobar group, lies over 500 km from Port Blair, the main city of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while international destinations such as Phuket and parts of Sumatra are within 500 km of the proposed site. The airport is expected to improve connectivity significantly and create opportunities for tourism development, potentially placing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands among notable global tourist destinations.
The island is roughly 1,500 km from the Indian mainland, with Delhi located about 3,000 km away, Calcutta at 1,850 km, and Mumbai at 2,250 km. Other international cities, including Singapore, Vietnam, and Bali, are within 1,000 to 1,500 km from the airport. Great Nicobar stretches from Ranganatha Bay on the east coast down to Galathea Bay, wrapping around Indira Point, the southernmost tip of India, to Pemayya Bay. Sumatra lies just 180 km south of Indira Point. The island covers approximately 910 sq km, most of which is designated as the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve.
The proposed airport site is situated along the coast between Gandhi Nagar and Shastri Nagar on the island's southern side. It is accessible via a road connecting Galathea Bay to Campbell Bay, about 30 km away. The site is surrounded by hills, and planned grading will ensure safe aircraft operations. The runway will be oriented roughly north-south, aligned with prevailing winds, and flight paths will primarily pass over the sea to minimize disturbance to the local area.
Great Nicobar is home to the Shompen and Nicobarese tribes. The DPR also highlights the broader Great Nicobar Development Plan, which includes a major transshipment port, the proposed airport, and future strategic defense infrastructure at the southern tip of the island. According to the plan, the island's population is expected to grow to around 650,000 by 2050 from the current population of roughly 6,500.
Source PTI
FAQs
Q1. What is the purpose of the proposed international airport on Great Nicobar?
The proposed international airport on Great Nicobar is planned as a dual-use facility to meet both strategic and civilian needs. The government aims to strengthen national security by enabling military operations while also improving air connectivity to support tourism and economic activity in the region. The airport is expected to play a key role in the overall development of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Q2. How will the airport be operated and managed?
According to the Detailed Project Report, the airport will operate as a military airfield under the Indian Navy, which will be responsible for airside operations and air traffic control. Civil aviation activities will be managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), which will handle passenger terminals, aprons, and related facilities to support commercial flights.
Q3. Why is Great Nicobar considered strategically important for this airport?
Great Nicobar’s location makes it strategically important, as it lies close to international destinations such as Sumatra and Phuket and near major Southeast Asian regions. The island is also positioned along important maritime routes, allowing the airport to enhance India’s strategic presence while improving access to nearby international cities.
Q4. Where is the airport site located and what are its key design features?
The proposed airport site is located along the southern coast of Great Nicobar, between Gandhi Nagar and Shastri Nagar, and is connected by road to Campbell Bay. The runway will be aligned north-south to match prevailing wind conditions, and most flight paths will pass over the sea to minimise impact on nearby settlements and natural areas.
Q5. How does the airport fit into the broader Great Nicobar Development Plan?
The airport forms part of the wider Great Nicobar Development Plan, which also includes a transshipment port and future defence infrastructure. The plan aims to transform the island into a major strategic and economic hub, with projections indicating that the population could increase from about 6,500 at present to nearly 650,000 by 2050.
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