Speaking during SpiceJet’s annual general meeting (AGM) on January 10, Ajay Singh, the carrier’s chairman and managing director, stated that SpiceJet has the only rights to fly to Lakshadweep and will shortly begin flights to Agatti Island.

The only airfield in the island chain is located on Agatti Island in Lakshadweep. Flights to the airport currently pass through Kochi.

Singh’s comments regarding SpiceJet’s plans for Lakshadweep coincide with an increase in searches pertaining to Union territory in the Arabian Sea subsequent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit last week.

Modi published photographs of him visiting beaches and snorkeling, which in-turn led to a social media argument whether Indians should visit Lakshadweep instead of going to the Maldives.

Three Maldivian deputy ministers—Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Sharyf, and Mahzoom Majid—used “derogatory” language against the Indian prime minister during the debate, which set off a furor. The Maldivian government then suspended them in an effort to calm the ruckus.

According to a report published on January 9, India is preparing to build a new airport on the island region for both military and commercial use.

Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep is the site of the planned airport, according to ANI, which cited official sources.

“The plan is to have a joint airfield that would be capable of operating fighter jets, military transport planes and commercial aircraft,” the sources told Reuters.

Between the Lakshadweep islands and Cochin city, seven passenger ships sail; which are MV Minicoy, MV Amindivi, MV Corals, MV Lagoon, MV Lakshadweep Sea, MV Arabian Sea,  and MV Kavaratti. Depending on the island picked for the voyage, the transit takes 14 to 18 hours.

According to a statement issued by the government of the Union territory of Lakshadweep, “The ships offer different classes of accommodation: A/C First Class with two berth cabins, A/C Second Class with four berth cabins and push back/Bunk Class with A/C seating.”

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