Srinagar airportto be decongested

Srinagar: What could be big respite for the passengers and airlines, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is all set to decongest the Srinagar ‘International’ Airport in a bid to provide quality service to the stakeholders.
To begin with, the AAI has decided to use the international terminal of the airport for domestic arrivals to facilitate smooth flow of passengers.
The development, according to sources, comes in the wake of recurring complaints from the airlines and passengers that the domestic terminal building was ‘not up to the mark’ and capable of handling the departures and arrivals.
This newspaper had reported in September the problems the passengers and airlines face in the existing terminal building, primarily due to less number of conveyor belts, persistent trouble of bird droppings, lack of waiting hall and drinking water facilities.
With the Hajj-2010 arrivals over, the AAI has shot a letter to all the stakeholders at the airport, asking them to gear up to use the international terminal for domestic flight arrivals.
“The international terminal shall be used for domestic arrivals from January 7. I have asked all the stakeholders, including the airlines, to fall in line with regard to the decision. I am hopeful that the step would prove beneficial in easing the congestion at the airport and facilitate smooth flow of passengers,” said the Srinagar-based AAI director, Capt Raj K Malik.
At the international terminal, sources said, the passengers can take rest in a waiting hall and have access to facilities like drinking water and more conveyor belts, which tranship luggage after the passengers receive their boarding cards.
23/12/10 Faheem Aslam/Greater Kashmir

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Categories: Airports Dec 2010