Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 5: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) today criticized the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for failing to install an upgraded Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Srinagar Airport, a lapse that has caused flight disruptions over the last few days.
Expressing concern, the KCCI, in a statement issued here, said the disruptions have led to “numerous cancellations,” leaving thousands of passengers “stranded.”
“This crisis has been precipitated by the AAI’s continued failure to install the promised upgraded ILS, which would enable safe flight operations even in low visibility conditions,” KCCI said.
It stated that 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.”
The chamber said that the situation was entirely preventable, noting that it has repeatedly highlighted the urgent need for modern navigation equipment at the 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“Despite multiple assurances from AAI and several missed deadlines, we still operate with outdated systems that leave our air connectivity at the mercy of weather conditions,” KCCI said.
“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.”
The trade body noted that international business travellers have missed crucial meetings, while local businesses have faced significant losses due to delayed shipments and cancelled business travel.
KCCI has demanded 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.”
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