Srinagar, Feb 01 (KNO): Notwithstanding the biting cold and adverse weather conditions, the Srinagar International Airport managed to operate smoothly without a single flight cancellation from December 21 to January 30 – the period that marks the Chillai Kalan, the harsh winter phase in Kashmir.
According to data accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Srinagar airport handled a total of 2344 flights, including arrivals and departures.
“The airport facilitated 1172 flights and ensured uninterrupted connectivity for the region, with an equal number of take-offs. There was a seamless transportation of people and goods. Despite the winter chill, passengers consistently arrived,” the data reveals.
The total passenger count during this period reached 401,244, with 198,793 arrivals and 202,451 departures from Srinagar airport.
Among the scheduled 2617 flights, only 273 were cancelled, and all cancellations occurred outside Jammu and Kashmir.
Srinagar Airport's Director, Javed Anjum, told KNO that the overall flight operations remained smooth during Chillai Kalan. “The minimal cancellations were limited to flights departing from Delhi, Jammu and Chandigarh airports due to unfavourable weather conditions,” he said.
Anjum said only flights outside the J&K were affected, and those too were restricted from departing from certain airports.
“From the airport's perspective, operations remained open without any flight cancellations during this winter period,” the Director added—(KNO)