In the wake of the prevailing unrest in Kashmir, majority of the airline companies have reduced the number of flights to Kashmir.From the last 81 days, the flow of people especially tourists to Kashmir has come down drastically as situation in Kashmir overturned in the backdrop of killing of Hizbul Mujhideen Commander Burhan Wani.
Director Airport Authority of India (Srinagar) Sharad Kumar said that the airline companies from last three months have been gradually reducing the number of flights to Kashmir as inflow of passengers to the valley has considerably declined.He said so far all the airline companies have collectively cut down as many as 10 flights to Kashmir. “Yes, considering the current situation when less number of people visit here, the airline companies have reduced their flights. When there is a little amount of occupancy and demand, the airline companies won’t take a chance to run in losses,” he said.
Kumar said that the airline companies which have reduced the number of flights include GoAir, Vistara and Spice Jet.He said that these airline companies might further reduce their flights to Kashmir as the number of passengers heading to the valley is further decreasing.“If the conditions do not improve they might further reduce flights in coming days,” Kumar said.
Director AAI (Srinagar) added that nowadays dozens of seats in flights to Kashmir remain unoccupied.“The flights from Srinagar to other airports carry a good number of passengers but a huge number of seats remain unoccupied in flights coming to Srinagar. This was an ideal season for tourists but due to current situation no one is ready to visit here,” he said.
Due to the less inflow of people, the airfare from Srinagar to New Delhi too has drastically come down to the range of Rs 1,600 to Rs 2500 per passenger. Similarly the fares from Srinagar to other cities including Chandigarh, Mumbai have also come down. “This is the first time that we are seeing such low airfare from New Delhi to Srinagar,” said an executive of a private air carrier.
The months of June, July, August and September are considered to be peak season for aviation sector in Kashmir. Previously, during these months the fares would go as high as between 20,000 per passenger on a Srinagar-Delhi flight.
KM