In a significant development, the Srinagar International Airport would operate night flights from August 10 as installation of the special equipment for night hour aviation operations was completed, authorities said.
Director Srinagar International Airport, Aakash Deep Mathur told two airlines — Indigo and Go Air — have agreed to operate night flights.
All facilities, including high mast lights for funnel area, approach lights, surveillance, watch towers at strategic locations, proper lighting for proper visual profiling of vehicles, additional X-ray machines at drop gate, adequate security, smart fencing were almost in place.
The government had been making efforts for operationalization of night-landing facilities at the Airport and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) recently granted permission for operating night flights.
At present, the last flight lands at Srinagar airport at 5.40 pm and the airport is closed at 6 pm. But from August 10, the flights would land till 10 pm.
Mathur said operation of night flights from Srinagar airport would give a flip to the tourism sector. “It will improve the connectivity and help growth of economy of the state as well.”
Trials for night landing of flights at Srinagar will begin soon, the Airport Director said, adding security for the new arrangement would be “a top and a continuous priority.”
Srinagar Airport is a table-top airport surrounded by dozens of villages and orchards and situated at a distance of 12 kms from Srinagar. It is under direct operational control of the IAF which controls its air traffic and landing strip and also the facilities of fire-fighting and crash activities, apart from the airspace.
