Srinagar- After the inauguration of a lot hyped Srinagar-Sharjah direct flight two years in the past, the Srinagar’s Sheikh ul-Alam Worldwide Airport has barely seen any worldwide flight taking off, barring the planes carrying pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for annual Hajj pilgrimage yearly.
The primary worldwide flight from Srinagar to Dubai was began on February 14, 2009 by Air India Categorical. Nonetheless, once-a-week service was discontinued attributable to ‘low demand’ by the authorities.
Twelve years later in October 2021, the worldwide flight operations had been once more resumed by the federal government with fanfare. Union Dwelling Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Srinagar-Sharjah Go First flight from the airport, aiming at restoring direct air connectivity between Kashmir valley and the UAE.
Nonetheless, like Air India Categorical, Go First additionally suspended the operations. And for the reason that airliner ceased its operations final 12 months and filed for chapter earlier than the Nationwide Firm Legislation Tribunal, no airline has reportedly come ahead to revive the worldwide service.
Javed Anjum, Director Srinagar Worldwide Airport mentioned the worldwide operations ceased earlier than Go First airways suspended its operations.
“The authorities determined to halt the operations for the reason that footfall of worldwide passengers was very much less,” Anjum instructed Kashmir Observer.
Nonetheless, personal airliners have a unique model on the declare of much less footfall.
‘Worldwide airports can’t be simply names and titles however extra importantly infrastructure and services. To function worldwide flights, two runways are required, correct immigration services and public announcement programs too are wanted. The place are all these services at Srinagar airport,” a senior official of a non-public airliner instructed Kashmir Observer.
He additionally questioned the absence of Instrument Touchdown System (ILS), apart from a false ceiling contained in the airport advanced.
“Pigeon poop may be seen contained in the terminals and ready corridor. A light-weight snowfall, or fog grounds flights for days. What makes Srinagar worldwide airport worldwide?” he questioned.
Nonetheless, Anjum mentioned that Srinagar worldwide airport has all services, together with the continuing set up of instrument touchdown system (ILS) crucial for operation of worldwide flights. He mentioned that AAI can be welcome, if any airline needs to function worldwide flights.
“We’re right here to facilitate them. It’s as much as the airways whether or not they need to function or not,” he mentioned, whereas noting that no airliner has come ahead thus far.
“The ILS is a technological improve and goals to bolster plane touchdown capabilities, significantly in situations with low visibility attributable to fog or difficult climate circumstances. The visibility threshold is predicted to extend to 800 meters,” he added.
Notably, 4 flights per week between Srinagar and Sharjah had been introduced in 2021 with the Jammu and Kashmir administration claiming that the resumption of direct flight to Sharjah will increase commerce and tourism within the area.
Lately, the administration additionally claimed that they’re making an attempt their finest to woo again overseas vacationers to the Kashmir Valley.
Final month, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha mentioned the variety of overseas vacationer arrivals in J&Okay has gone up by 350 per cent from the earlier 12 months.
“Srinagar hosted the G20 assembly (the third tourism working group assembly of the G20 member international locations) and put up that, the variety of overseas vacationer arrivals in J&Okay has gone up by 350 per cent from the final 12 months,” the LG had mentioned, in the course of the inauguration of Vistadome rail coach at Nowgam railway station in metropolis outskirts.
“The vacationer and merchants fraternity had been upbeat when direct Srinagar to Sharjah flight was introduced just a few years in the past. We had been anticipating extra overseas vacationers however then the operation was instantly halted with none causes,” mentioned Rauf Tramboo, president of Journey Brokers Affiliation of Kashmir (TAAK).
He additional mentioned footfall of the vacationers will progressively improve when the federal government will create “buzz” concerning the flight operation.
The tourism gamers argue that if the federal government guarantees to carry extra overseas vacationers, they need to create satisfactory journey services for them.
“Why are not any worldwide flights taking off from Srinagar Airport regardless of it being declared a world Airport. Hundreds of foreigners visited Kashmir this 12 months. The quantity could possibly be extra if direct flights function,” mentioned Jan Mohammad, a visitor home proprietor from Srinagar.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
|
Be A part of High quality Journalism |
|
High quality journalism takes plenty of time, cash and arduous work to provide and regardless of all of the hardships we nonetheless do it. Our reporters and editors are working extra time in Kashmir and past to cowl what you care about, break huge tales, and expose injustices that may change lives. Right this moment extra individuals are studying Kashmir Observer than ever, however solely a handful are paying whereas promoting revenues are falling quick. |
| ACT NOW |
#Srinagars #Worldwide #Airport #Sans #International #Flights #Kashmir #Observer
