Trade bodies, other stakeholders seek additional flights to Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 26: Representatives of trade bodies and political leaders, cutting across party lines on Sunday urged the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to intervene, so that the number of flights to Srinagar could be enhanced, which can in the days to come prevent skyrocketing airfares.

Notably, this newspaper carried a news item in its October 26 edition, that in the winter schedule submitted by various airlines to the aviation regulator Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the number of flights to Srinagar have been slashed to 39, compared to 50-60 flights that were operational to J&K's summer capital during last winter.

Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) President, Javed Tenga said he has taken up the issue of lesser number of scheduled flights with concerned authorities. He said sending across a "positive message through various initiatives is key to revival of tourism".

“It is true that flights have been reduced due to a dip in traveler influx. We are hopeful that there is a revival of the tourism sector so that the number of flights can be enhanced,” said Tenga.

The lesser number of flights scheduled for this winter is due to a drop in passenger demand, which has seen a dip since the Pahalgam attack in April this year. The number of flights to Srinagar Airport have almost halved since then. PDP Spokesperson  Zuhaib Mir said the reduction in the number of flights by 30 to 40 per cent will considerably shoot up air fares.

“We don’t have the technological advancement on the runway to ensure smooth flight operations during low visibility conditions. We already have economic distress and we cannot afford that our students and patients shell out extra money for costly air tickets,” said Mir.

National Conference leader and MLA Hazratbal Salman Ali Sagar said tourism stakeholders must make all possible efforts to revive the tourism sector. “These efforts should be channelised so that the number of flights are increased to Srinagar,” said Sagar.

BJP’s Altaf Thakur took a dig at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led government, saying “it should take steps to enhance flights,” adding that flight reduction from 60 to 39 “will hit tourism and common travellers.” Responding to Thakur, National Conference Social Media Incharge, Ifra Jan in a statement said: “The Ministry of Civil Aviation is a part of PM Modi’s government and if he ( Thakur) is so concerned about the number of flights, he should use his BJP connections to have the number of flights increased.”

Meanwhile, Director Srinagar International Airport, Javed Anjum recently told Greater Kashmir that the flights of various airlines are quite less due to a low demand for travel between Srinagar and various destinations. However, the Airport Director said there are efforts to add flights for more destinations, which were discontinued due to less demand. “There was direct connectivity to Bhubaneswar, Dehradun, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru earlier, which was stopped but now we are trying to resume these flights,” said Anjum.