Srinagar: In a development that can trigger a huge goodwill in Kashmir, the Defence Ministry has finally permitted limited night landing of civilian aircraft at Srinagar airport till 10 pm. The decision was taken by defence minister A K Antony, and the Air Headquarters have already issued an order.
"We just heard that the decision has been taken, but we are waiting for formal orders from the Director General Civilian Aviations," a senior executive at the Srinagar airport said, adding that "this decision will help this airport contribute better to the economic development of Kashmir."
Though Kashmir, a major tourist destination, has been seeking night-landing facility for years, the same was denied for security and strategic reasons. State policy makers were being told in private that the airport being closer to the border cannot be permitted to operate during night. They never explained why the airports in Punjab, located much closer to the IB, operate during the nights against the Srinagar airport which is literally far away from the LoC.
17/07/13 Masood Hussain/Economic Times
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"We just heard that the decision has been taken, but we are waiting for formal orders from the Director General Civilian Aviations," a senior executive at the Srinagar airport said, adding that "this decision will help this airport contribute better to the economic development of Kashmir."
Though Kashmir, a major tourist destination, has been seeking night-landing facility for years, the same was denied for security and strategic reasons. State policy makers were being told in private that the airport being closer to the border cannot be permitted to operate during night. They never explained why the airports in Punjab, located much closer to the IB, operate during the nights against the Srinagar airport which is literally far away from the LoC.
17/07/13 Masood Hussain/Economic Times
