Govt mulling to and fro night flights in Kashmir

Authorities today discussed modalities for starting to and fro night flights in Kashmir valley and a DGCA team is expected to arrive here next month to take stock of the facilities at Srinagar International Airport.
Asgar Hassan Samon, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, held a meeting to review the functioning of Srinagar airport and discuss modalities to start night landing of flights at the airport, an official spokesman said.
"The meeting was informed that the Indian Air Force had given the permission to start night flights at Srinagar airport in May 2013," Samon said.
The airport frequently hosts night flights from non-scheduled aircrafts, state aircraft and some special flights.

"With the requirement of visibility of 1.3 kms, aircraft can land at Srinagar airport even during full moon nights," the spokesman said.
Samoon noted the flights can be easily started upto 2200 hours.

The operating hours of the airport would be gradually extended in the near future when all the requirements for the facility are met, he said at the meeting.
The spokesman added that a team of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected here next month to take stock of facilities at the airport.
He said the meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar and Budgam, officials of Srinagar airport, Air Force, police and representatives of private airlines.

The Divisional Commissioner, while stressing 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 also expressed concern over the increase in airfare during peak season and called for a system to cap the airfare at a certain level to benefit people, particularly students and patients.
The meeting also discussed the strengthening of intra-state connectivity and connecting flights between Srinagar, Leh and Kargil, the spokesman said, adding Samoon also ordered speeding up of the process of modernization of facilities at all the three airports.