Srinagar-Sharjah flight announcement evokes positive response in Valley

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha said the Union Minister and the Jammu and Kashmir government has agreed to start the first international flight between Srinagar and Sharjah soon.

Srinagar: The UT administration's announcement of starting the Srinagar-Sharjah flight service from Srinagar Airport has evoked a positive response among people in the Kashmir valley. The announcement was made during a visit by Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Sindhia.

Traders and people associated with tourism in the Kashmir Valley are happy with this announcement, but they say that this announcement should be put into practice.

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha said the Union Minister and the Jammu and Kashmir government has agreed to start the first international flight between Srinagar and Sharjah soon.

He said that this would lead to direct international connectivity which is a long-standing demand of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

In 2010, the central government had launched flights between Srinagar and Dubai, but the service was suspended six months later.

The launch of international flight service from Srinagar has been a long-standing demand of the people and traders, but so far the government had not taken any action in the matter.

Traders say the launch of flights to the UAE and other countries will facilitate trade in the Valley's handicrafts and other products.

Sheikh Ashiq, KCCI President, said that apart from trade, tourism would also get a significant boost as at present tourists have to come by connecting flight to Srinagar which makes travelling difficult.

He said that this announcement is welcome but the government has to implement it so that the people can have faith in the government.

It may be noted here that no international service is running from Srinagar airport, while the Jeddah air service operates temporarily during the days of Hajj.