Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Transport Qamar Ali Akhoon on Saturday said the Ministry for Civil Aviation has decided to begin flight service to Kargil from Srinagar and Jammu.

He stated this after a detailed discussion with the Union Minister for Civil Aviation Choudhary Ajit Singh.

The trial landing at Kargil airport will start shortly, he said.

Singh apprised Akhoon that the decision has been taken by the Ministry on the basis of favourable reports submitted by teams headed separately by Director General Airport Authorities of India (AAI) Bharat Bhushan and Deputy Director AAI Lalit Gupta.

The teams had consultation with the Commissioner Civil Aviation, Jammu and Kashmir, S Katoch, and had visited Kargil last year to inspect facilities.

Akhoon said the air service was the need of the hour as the area remains land locked from other parts of the country during winter months due to heavy snow fall.

He added that the people of Kargil, Drass and Zanaskar are facing tremendous problems due to closure of Zijola pass and operation of air service was very important for the people of the area.