KCCI Demands Immediate Action Amid Massive Flight Disruptions at Srinagar Airport
Srinagar, January 3: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has expressed deep concern over the massive flight disruptions that have plagued Srinagar International Airport over the past three days. The relentless cancellations have stranded thousands of passengers, with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) bearing the brunt of the blame for their continued failure to install the much-needed upgraded Instrument Landing System (ILS), which would enable safe flight operations even in low visibility conditions.
This crisis has wreaked havoc on travelers, including international tourists, Umrah pilgrims, business travelers, students returning to educational institutions, and patients seeking medical treatment. Many passengers have missed their connecting flights at major hubs, resulting in cascading disruptions in their travel plans and significant financial losses.
“This situation was entirely preventable,” said a spokesperson for KCCI. “We have repeatedly highlighted the urgent need for modern navigation equipment at our airport. Despite multiple assurances from AAI and several missed deadlines, we still operate with outdated systems that leave our air connectivity at the mercy of weather conditions.”
The impact on the business community and the general public has been severe. The tourism industry, a crucial sector of Kashmir’s economy, has faced significant losses during what should be a peak travel period. International business travelers have missed crucial meetings, while local businesses have suffered due to delayed shipments and canceled business travel.
KCCI demands immediate action from AAI to install the required modern ILS and upgrade the airport’s infrastructure to current international standards. The Chamber emphasized that the continued neglect of Srinagar Airport’s infrastructural needs is unacceptable for a region that serves as a major tourist destination and business hub.
“The tourism industry is hemorrhaging due to these avoidable disruptions,” the KCCI spokesperson added. “International tourists, who bring much-needed revenue to our region, are being stranded and deterred from visiting. The ripple effect is devastating, from missed hotel bookings to canceled tours, all contributing to a significant economic downturn.”
The Chamber also highlighted the plight of Umrah pilgrims who have missed their flights, facing not only financial losses but also emotional distress. Business travelers and students have been equally impacted, with important meetings and classes missed, causing setbacks in their professional and academic pursuits.
KCCI argues that the installation of a modern ILS is not a luxury but a necessity. “It’s baffling that in this day and age, an international airport still operates with outdated systems,” the spokesperson said. “The safety and convenience of passengers should be the top priority, and the current state of affairs is a glaring failure on the part of AAI.”
The Chamber’s aggressive stance underscores the urgency of the situation. “We will not stand idly by while our economy suffers and our reputation as a travel destination is tarnished. AAI must take immediate action to rectify this situation.”
KCCI’s call for action is clear: install the modern ILS without further delay and upgrade the airport’s infrastructure to meet international standards. The Chamber’s demands are a wake-up call to AAI and the relevant authorities to prioritize the needs of the region’s travelers and businesses.
This situation requires immediate intervention to prevent further economic losses and public inconvenience. The time for empty promises and missed deadlines is over. The people of Kashmir deserve better, and the KCCI is determined to hold AAI accountable for their failures.
Press Release
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) expresses deep concern over the massive flight disruptions that have plagued Srinagar International Airport over the past three days, resulting in numerous cancellations and leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
This crisis has been precipitated by the Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) continued failure to install the promised upgraded Instrument Landing System (ILS), which would enable safe flight operations even in low visibility conditions.
The widespread cancellations have severely impacted thousands of travellers, including international tourists, Umrah pilgrims, business travellers, students returning to educational institutions, and patients travelling for medical treatment. Many passengers have missed their connecting flights at major hubs, leading to cascading disruptions in their travel plans and significant financial losses.
This situation was entirely preventable. KCCI has repeatedly highlighted the urgent need for modern navigation equipment at our airport. Despite multiple assurances from AAI and several missed deadlines, we still operate with outdated systems that leave our air connectivity at the mercy of weather conditions.
The impact on our business community and the general public has been severe. The tourism industry, a crucial sector of our economy, has faced significant losses during what should be a peak travel period. International business travellers have missed crucial meetings, while local businesses have faced significant losses due to delayed shipments and cancelled business travel.
KCCI demands immediate action from AAI to install the required modern ILS and upgrade the airport’s infrastructure to current international standards. The continued neglect of our airport’s infrastructural needs is unacceptable for a region that serves as a major tourist destination and business hub. This situation requires immediate intervention to prevent further economic losses and public inconvenience.
Faiz Ahmad Bakshi
Secretary General
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry INC.
2ND FLOOR, MOHIDIN TRUST BUILDING,
RESIDENCY ROAD, SRINAGAR-KASHMIR-190001
TEL: 0194-2455446/2482176
FAX : 0194: 2452517
E-MAIL : thekashmirchamber@gmail.com
Website : www.thekcci.in
