Sgr Intl Airport still under IAF control

Srinagar: Keeping the air traffic control (ATC) of the Srinagar International Airport under supervision of the Indian Air Force (IAF) restricts the flight operations, besides causing a loss of Rs 400 Cr to the tourism industry annually.Although the airport was elevated to international status, flights cannot take off before 10 am or land after 3 pm here, as the IAF does not allow operations on the airfield beyond this time. Thus, limiting the air traffic by IAF dents severely tourism and travel sector.
According to Rouf Ahmed, president Travel Agents Association of Kashmir, the restrictions by IAF are costing Kashmir dearly. "Classifying Srinagar airport as an international runway was a trick to befool people. Only eight to 11 domestic flights operate and only one international flight lands a week,'' he said.
He said if domestic traffic is allowed to carry on freely, as per the practice at the other airports in India, the number of visitors coming by air will increase by at least 1.5 to 2 lakh.
Around 5.26 lakh, including 20,000 foreigners, visited Kashmir this season. Approximately 1.5 lakh tourists travel by air and, according to estimates by State Tourism Department, each tourist coming by air spends not less than Rs 20,000 during a short stay in Kashmir. By restricting the air traffic, the IAF divests Kashmir of an income of Rs 400 Cr a year.
"The restriction needs to be done away with if the government wants influx of tourists to Kashmir to increase," said Nazir A Bakhshi, a pioneer of tour and travel business in Kashmir.
14/11/09 Rashid Paul/Rising Kashmir

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Categories: Airports Nov 2009