AirAsia begins daily flights between Delhi, Srinagar

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 19

Low-cost airline carrier AirAsia started its operations here today with the launch of its morning and evening daily flights between New Delhi and Srinagar.

An official statement said the inaugural flight from New Delhi was received by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti at Srinagar International Airport at 10 am. Another flight to New Delhi was seen off by the Chief Minister soon after.

The airline is also planning to connect Srinagar to many other destinations in the country in coming days.

Welcoming the initiative, Mehbooba said the new flights would augur well for the coming tourist season in the state. She hoped the airline would provide more connectivity to other cities in the country.

Pertinently, the Chief Minister has been pressing for operation of more morning and evening flights to Srinagar to facilitate more air traffic that would consequently promote tourism. She has also been insisting on the involvement of local youth in projects being started in the state. On her insistence, the airline has decided to recruit all its cabin crew and ground staff locally, the official statement said.

Secretary Tourism Farooq A Shah, who was also present on the occasion, said the launch of the service was a one big leap in connecting Kashmir through this affordable international airline.

Director, Tourism, Kashmir, Mehmood A Shah said the initiative would help in attracting more tourists to the state, particularly the Kashmir valley.