Airlines’ proposal to double daily in and out flights to 100 welcome step: Tourism Inc
After taking a nosedive due to last year unrest, air traffic to Kashmir may witness more than cent percent increase with a record number of 100 flights scheduled in and out at the Srinagar Airport beginning March.
Seven airlines operating to Srinagar in their new schedule submitted to Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), New Delhi, have increased their number of flights to Srinagar taking the total count of daily arrivals to the capital city to 50.
The number of in an out flights, due to a drop in passenger flow to Srinagar had witnessed a sharp decrease to 40 after killing of Hizb Commander Burhan Wani on July 8 last year. Prior to the unrest 76 in and out flights were operating at the Srinagar Airport. However, if the new proposal goes as it is planned, the number of new daily flights to and from Srinagar will be 100.
Director, Airports Authority of India, Srinagar, Sharad Kumar told Kashmir Post that the scheduled 100 in and out flights at Srinagar Airport is a “milestone” and a “challenge” for which infrastructure at the airport is being upgraded. “The check-in counters have been increased and the boarding gates also have to be increased in order to cater to the increased passenger flow. If things fall into place as planned and the submitted schedule is followed by the airlines then this would be for the first time that we will have 100 flights operating at the Srinagar International Airport,” Kumar said.
Various trade and tourism players have said that the number of flights to Srinagar increasing to 50 should hopefully keep a check on airfares as well.
President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mushtaq Ahmad Wani said apart from increasing the number of flights, airlines should also rein in measures such as introducing airfare capping on the Srinagar route.
“More the number of flights, lesser will be the burden on the pocket of the flier as the fares should automatically reduce due to competition. The increase in number of flights just ahead of tourist season is a welcome step,” Wani said.
Airfares have been skyrocketing since first snowfall of the season on January 6 with almost 200 percent to 300 percent increase on Srinagar-Delhi route. State government had written a letter to Union Aviation Ministry regarding high airfares and even the State Human Rights Commission has listed a petition against high fares for hearing on March 1.
President, Travel Agents Association of Kashmir, Manzoor Siddiq said: “The airlines increase flights only when there is an increase in inquires which is a positive move. Hopefully now the airfares should be affordable so that tourists are attracted to Kashmir and not burdened by paying airfares. Apart from Delhi-Srinagar increased frequency there should be direct flights introduced to East, West and Southern parts of India as well.”.
Director Tourism Kashmir, Mehmood Ahmad Shah said more number of flights will provide increased options for fliers in terms of timings and encourage tourists especially weekend travelers for planning a trip to Kashmir.
