Everyone knew about that Jammu and Kashmir had an International Airport but what nobody knew was- not a single international flight has landed there. But on February 19 AirAsia became the first foreign airline ever to start its operations from ‘The Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport’, Srinagar.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti waved the flag to clear the landing for the AirAsia flight at Srinagar airport. Mehbooba was accompanied by Tourism department officials and top management of AirAsia India operations.
Initially, AirAsia will operate one flight daily between Delhi and Srinagar.
Srinagar airport is in the list of international airports for the last five years, but no foreign airlines has operated services from there so far. This move will result in major boost for tourism in the valley.
According to the reports published in Greater Kashmir, MD and CEO, AirAsia India, Amar Abrol said, “we will certainly add more flights and it depends on slots available in Srinagar and other cities that we are hoping to connect Srinagar to.”
AirAsia, a Malaysian low-cost airline Group operates scheduled domestic and international flights to more than 165 destinations spanning 25 countries.
The airline is a joint venture with AirAsia Berhad holding 49% stake in the airline, Tata Sons holding 40.06% and Arun Bhatia holding the remaining 10% through his company, Telestra Tradeplace.
AirAsia India was established on 28 March 2013 and became the first foreign airline to set up a subsidiary in India and the company marked Tata’s return to the aviation industry after 60 years, having ceded Air India in 1946.
Air Asia India commenced operations on 12 June 2014 with Bangalore as its primary hub.
