Wings of Hope | Kashmir tourism gets a boost as IndiGo announces direct Kolkata flights

Srinagar, Mar 8: Tourism stakeholders in Kashmir are upbeat over IndiGo's announcement to start direct flight services from Kolkata to Srinagar and Jammu, beginning April 10.

The flights are part of IndiGo's new domestic route connections planned for the upcoming summer schedule.

As per an official statement, the airline will operate daily direct flights on the Kolkata-Srinagar-Kolkata sector. The Kolkata-Jammu-Kolkata route will have direct flights on the first, third and fifth Sundays.

Kolkata is one of the major tourism markets for Kashmir as the valley receives a huge footfall of tourists from the state. The commencement of direct flights is therefore a welcome development for Kashmir's tourism industry.

Tourism stakeholders say the new air link will boost tourist arrivals from Eastern India. "Kolkata is one of the main tourism markets for us, a good number of tourists visit Kashmir and this air connectivity will make it easy for them. It is a good decision and we would like that in future the frequency of flights should further increase," said Chairman of J&K Hoteliers Club, Mushtaq Chaya.

"Earlier tourists from Kolkata had to use interconnection flights, which will now be done away with," Chaya said, adding that it is a positive step. He stated that the direct flights would save time and make Kashmir more accessible as a destination for tourists from West Bengal and other eastern states. Chaya hoped that the move would give a boost to the tourism industry.

President of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Javed Tenga welcomed the move stating that "direct flights between Srinagar and Kolkata will help the tourism sector as well as provide easy connectivity to handicraft dealers who travel to Bengal regions to procure raw materials during winter months."

Tenga said that starting more direct flights to other major cities should also be considered. "This will boost both tourism as well as business activities. Currently, we have to depend a lot on connecting flights which increases travel time. More direct connections from cities like Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai will significantly improve accessibility to Kashmir," he added. Tenga hoped that the aviation authorities and airlines would consider starting additional direct flights shortly to unlock Kashmir's tourism and economic potential.

President Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industries Kashmir, Tariq Ghani said: "It will make travel more convenient for tourists from West Bengal and northeast states to visit Kashmir."

He added that the direct flights will significantly reduce travel time compared to earlier connecting options. Srinagar Airport's night parking facility is an added advantage.

The Tourism Department has also welcomed the move stating it will give a fillip to tourist inflow. Officials said promotional events in Kolkata and other eastern cities are being planned to highlight Kashmir as a destination.