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Passenger flow declines by more than half in Kashmir after Pahalgam terror attack
The Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar saw a major decline in passenger flow just days after the Pahalgam terror attack, raising concerns about the future of tourism in the region read more
A passenger stands at an Indigo Airlines' counter as she waits to get her boarding pass at the Srinagar airport, November 21, 2014. File Image/Reuters
The air traffic at the Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar saw a significant decline following the devastating Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. There has been a significant decline in passenger arrivals and departures at Srinagar airport after the attack. According to the information obtained by News18, the total number of arrivals and departures was 19,641 passengers, the day before the attack sent shockwaves across India.
Nine days after the terror incident, the number of arrivals and departures at the airport decreased to 8,827. According to the air traffic report on April 30, around 4,341 passengers arrived at Srinagar airport on 41 flights. On the same day, 3,886 passengers departed from Srinagar on 41 flights.
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If we compare the figures to air traffic numbers on April 21, 9640 passengers arrived in 52 flights, and 10,001 passengers departed from the airport in 52 flights, News18 reported. This means that on April 21, Srinagar airport saw 104 flights going back and forth incomparison to 82 flights that flew in the region nine days after the attack.
Tightened security in the region
Following the attack that saw the death of 26 tourists, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an advisory to all airlines. 'In the aftermath of the incident in Pahalgam, there is an unexpected demand from tourists seeking to return to their homes. In this regard, the airlines are advised to take swift action to increase the number of flights in response to heightened demand and also to ensure uninterrupted connectivity from Srinagar to various destinations across India, facilitating the evacuation of stranded tourists," the authority stated in the advisory.
Keeping this notice in mind, the Airlines operating to and from Srinagar airport introduced additional flights. 'On April 25, only 24 passengers arrived on four additional flights, while 794 departed. On April 26, just 28 passengers arrived on three such flights, and 351 departed. Likewise, on April 27, 62 passengers arrived on two flights, while 211 passengers departed,' the airport traffic data revealed.
After India introduced security measures against Pakistan, accusing the country of supporting terrorism, Pakistan blocked its airspace for Indian airlines as a countermeasure. New Delhi later followed suit, blocking Pakistani airlines from its airspace. The exchange between the two nations has led to a major reduction in air traffic in the region.
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