Srinagar, Sept 15: Srinagar International Airport recorded highest flight operations of over 3400 so far in the month of July this year, officials said on Thursday.
An official at the airport told Rising Kashmir that July recorded the highest flight operations in 2022. He said 1701 flights arrived and 1702 departed at the airport.
The official said February witnessed lowest flight operations owing to bad weather conditions in the valley. February recorded 961 flight arrivals and 962 departures respectively.
“In the month of August, there has been a decline in flight operations at the airport and it recorded 1326 arrivals and 1326 departures,” he said.
Director, Airports Authority of India, Srinagar, Kuldeep Singh said that there has been a decline in flight operations since the past month but the airport is ready for any type of operations.
“Night flights are operating at the airport and the last flight departs between 8:00 PM to 9:00PM. There has been good response this season and we hope that it will continue,” he said.
As per officials, the new integrated terminal building for Srinagar Airport is in an advanced stage. The existing building will be upgraded and interlinked with the new building to provide a seamless experience.
“On construction and commissioning of the building, the passenger area will increase from 20,226 SM to 64,360 SM. The annual passenger capacity will increase from 2.5 million to 6.5 million. The peak hour passenger capacity will be augmented to 3,000 from the existing 950,” he said.
An official at the tourism department said that 16.94 lakh tourists, including 10,500 foreign nationals have visited Kashmir till August end this year.
He said 3.65 lakh Amarnath yatris also visited Kashmir this year, besides regular tourists. It means more than 20 lakh tourists visited Kashmir this year, which is a positive move,” the official said.
“The arrivals picked up speed from October 2021 and have not stopped since then which is expected to improve the local economy,” he said.
Earlier this year, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha launched J&K Tourist Village Network under the Mission Youth. The initiative was aimed at transforming 75 villages of the UT known for historical, picturesque beauty, and cultural significance into tourist villages.
