Union Tourism Ministry has recommended “upgradation” of Srinagar ‘International’ Airport stating that failure to upgrade its facilities would lead to bad publicity of Kashmir tourism sector, reported Muker Akmali in Greater Kashmir.
A report by Union Tourism Ministry titled ‘20 years of Perspective and Sustainable Tourism in JK’ states that “there is need for expansion of Srinagar airport, state airline service (19 routes), helicopter taxi service and developing the Srinagar Airport as an international hub of air traffic in order to connect and attract tourists from gulf countries.”
“The highest number of passengers this Airport has handled is nearly 700,000 in 1988. Old timers remember the chaotic conditions of passing through this airport, delayed flights, extra flights and the congestion on the road due to heavy traffic on the Airport road,” the report states.
The report recommends that Ministry of Civil Aviation, supported by the JK government and the Ministry of Tourism, “begin placing on ground, the planned expansion facility for Srinagar airport without waiting for the first rush of passengers which would otherwise immediately lead to bad publicity and harassment of passengers.”
The reports states that “however no expenditure is identified in extending the airstrip to received wide-bodied jumbo jet aircrafts”. “What is required has already been planned as new holding areas to handle simultaneously at least two airbus vehicles, additional checking counters for officials and additional expected airlines, luggage holding areas, passenger vehicle parking base, reception areas etc,” the reports adds.
03/01/16 Travel Biz Monitor
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A report by Union Tourism Ministry titled ‘20 years of Perspective and Sustainable Tourism in JK’ states that “there is need for expansion of Srinagar airport, state airline service (19 routes), helicopter taxi service and developing the Srinagar Airport as an international hub of air traffic in order to connect and attract tourists from gulf countries.”
“The highest number of passengers this Airport has handled is nearly 700,000 in 1988. Old timers remember the chaotic conditions of passing through this airport, delayed flights, extra flights and the congestion on the road due to heavy traffic on the Airport road,” the report states.
The report recommends that Ministry of Civil Aviation, supported by the JK government and the Ministry of Tourism, “begin placing on ground, the planned expansion facility for Srinagar airport without waiting for the first rush of passengers which would otherwise immediately lead to bad publicity and harassment of passengers.”
The reports states that “however no expenditure is identified in extending the airstrip to received wide-bodied jumbo jet aircrafts”. “What is required has already been planned as new holding areas to handle simultaneously at least two airbus vehicles, additional checking counters for officials and additional expected airlines, luggage holding areas, passenger vehicle parking base, reception areas etc,” the reports adds.
03/01/16 Travel Biz Monitor
