Srinagar, Oct 06: The government is likely to start the international flight service operations between Srinagar and Sharjah from Oct 24th this year, officials said.
A top official from Srinagar International Airport told Rising Kashmir that international flight services between Srinagar and Sharjah Airport are likely to start from the 24th of this month.
“Proposed commencement is scheduled this month on Oct 24th and it will be ‘Go First Airline’ as the first airliner to start the resumption of international flight services from Srinagar to Sharjah,” he revealed.
The Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who was recently in Valley for union government’s outreach programme, announced of resuming the international flight service operations in the valley between Srinagar and Sharjah soon.
During his visit the aviation minister also informed that the terminal at the Srinagar airport will be expanded from 25,000 square meters to 63,000 square meters.
“Srinagar will soon have its first international air connection to Sharjah (in the United Arab Emirates). International travellers are being enticed to visit Srinagar directly. This would be a watershed moment, not just for Jammu and Kashmir, but for the entire country,” Scindia told reporters.
He also said that there will be an investment of ?1,500 crore at the Srinagar airport, while ?600 crore will be spent on the Jammu airport.
While the move has been hailed by the Apex trade body of the valley, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCC&I), it’s president Sheikh Ashiq said it is a welcome step, which can really help in boosting the tourism and import and export trade in the valley.
“This will not just be confined to passenger flights only but can also act as a big boost for handicraft and other trade industry,” he said.
He also said that the start of the international flights to Sharjah should be followed to other destinations also which should include direct flights to Jeddah.
Welcoming the step as a much awaited demand, Manzoor Pakthoon associated with the tourism industry said that it was a much awaited demand.
“Direct connectivity from other nations to the valley will surely help in boosting the tourism”, he said.
