Srinagar Airport to start night flying operations from August 10

Night flights are going to get going at the Srinagar Airport from August 10 as per the recent reports. The Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport has made special arrangements for night time operations, and now they are ready to start evening flights as well.
According to the Airport Director, Airports Authority of India (AAI), few airlines have already agreed to operate evening flights, and the due procedures are now in place. As of now, the necessary permissions for night-landing at the Srinagar Airport have been granted, and working hours have been extended.

The Srinagar Airport currently has flight landings until 5:30 PM during winters, and 7:30 PM during summers. The last flight from Srinagar leaves at 5:45 PM at present; after the night flying rule sets in, the timing will be extended till 10:00 PM.

The proposal for night flights here in the Srinagar Airport was floated way back in 2011 by the
government under Omar Abdullah, but it was delayed because the airport is also used by the Indian Air Force. The Indian Air Force was recently asked by the centre to clear the decks for the night flights to become a possibility.

This new rule could help improve tourism in the state, and increase tourist footfall. However, the night flying might not be permitted during the winter months when the weather is usually unfavourable.