Srinagar airport goes international

Srinagar: UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi would flag off the first international flight from Srinagar to Dubai on Saturday. The International Airport, named after legendary sufi mystic Sheikh-ul-Alam, would also receive the first international flight, with 170 passengers on board Air India Express' Boeing 737-800, from Dubai the same day.
"To begin with, Srinagar will have a weekly flight to Dubai on Saturdays,'' Air India manager Mohammad Iqbal Dar said. "Each one way ticket will cost Rs 7,035,'' he added.
Airport Authority of India director Rakesh Kalra said the Instrumental Landing Systems (ILS), allowing pilots to land in low visibility, will soon be installed at the airport. "We've also expanded the runway. New terminals for departure and arrival, aero-bridges, central heating system, lifts, conveyor belts and escalators have also come up to meet the international standards,'' he said.
Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries president Mubeen Shah said, "Having an international flight makes little sense as long we've to go to Delhi for visas.''
13/02/09 M Saleem Pandit/Times of India

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Categories: Airports Feb 2009, New Feb 2009