Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon today held a meeting to review the functioning of Srinagar airport and discuss modalities to start night landing of flights at the airport.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar and Budgam, officials of Srinagar airport, Air Force, police, representatives of private airlines and other concerned officials. The Divisional Commissioner asked the concerned agencies to gear up for the coming tourist season and ensure better facilities are offered to the tourists .
The meeting was informed that the Indian Air Force has given the permission to start night flights at Srinagar airport in May 2013. Dr. Samoon said that we can easily start the flights upto 2200 hours adding that the operating hours of the airport would be gradually extended in the near future when all the requirements for the facility are met.
Further the meeting was informed that the airport frequently hosts night flights from non-scheduled aircrafts, state aircrafts and some special flights. With the requirement of visibility of 1.3 kms, aircrafts can land at Srinagar airport even during full moon nights.
It was given out that a team of DGCA is expected to arrive next month to take stock of facilities at the airport.
The Divisional Commissioner while stressing for close coordination between various Government agencies asked the officials to complete the preparations for the expected heavy influx of tourists in the coming tourist season.
He expressed concern over the increase in airfare during the peak season and called for a system to cap the airfare at a certain level to benefit the people particularly the students and patients.
The meeting also discussed the strengthening of intra-state connectivity and connecting flights between Srinagar, Leh and Kargil. He also ordered the speeding up of process of modernization of facilities at all the three airports.
