After connecting Srinagar International airport to the United Arab Emirate (UAE), the Ministry of Civil Aviation has declared it a major airport in the country. A notification to this regard was issued by the Ministry on Saturday. The Government plans to start more international flights from Srinagar in the coming days. The airport has recently seen a sharp increase in passenger influx.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by Sub-Section (i) of Section 2 of the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008 (No.27 of 2008), the Central Government hereby declares the airport at Srinagar as Major Airport,” the notification read. The move will help to bring the airport at international arena.
Officials said that the Government may announce more international flights from Srinagar in the coming days. “Discussions are on with Gulf countries to start flights from Srinagar,” officials added. Officials said that the Government has planned to invest `1,500 crore at the Srinagar airport in the coming days.
As per data, a total 2,152 domestic flights took place in September this year as compared to 1,093 last year. The airport has witnessed almost 12,000-13,000 daily passengers footfall this year as compared to 2,500 daily passengers footfall last year.
At present, the major airports that have an annual capacity to handle about one and a half million passengers remain under the purview of the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA).
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had inaugurated international flight operations from Srinagar to Sharjah, UAE on October 23. Under pressure from internal politics, Pakistan had denied to use its airspace. The journey now takes nearly 40-50 minutes extra due to a longer route to stay clear of the neighbouring country’s airspace as planes will have to fly via Udaipur, Ahmedabad and Oman due to the decision. However, India has approached Pakistan through diplomatic channels to start using its air space for Srinagar-Sharjah flights in the interest of common people. Pakistan has not responded till date.