Srinagar, May 13: Where it has caused much inconvenience to the passengers outside the state, the Air India pilot strike has fairly affected the tourism industry in the Valley, with tourism traders facing booking cancellations.
 The tourism players here said they are losing their customers and their business due to the pilot strike.
 “The strike has not just disturbed the upcoming tourists’ schedules, it has also created much inconvenience to the tourists planning to leave for their native places,” the traders said.
 The traders said a good number of flights get delayed due to the strike of pilots of India’s largest air carrier.
 President, Travel Agents Society of Kashmir (TASK), Muhammad Ibrahim Siah said: “The strike has affected us (the Valley), as we are the tourist destination and most of the foreign tourists travel by AI carriers.”
 “Although we have only one Air India flight coming here, but in other parts of country most of the people travel though Air India carrier and its strike has severely affected the movement of tourists,” he said.
  “It is setback for whole tourism fraternity in the Valley, as many bookings have been cancelled. We appeal the centre government to resolve the issue as soon as possible.”  
 President, Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK), Rauf Tramboo said: “It has created lot of inconvenience to tourists. Many flights got cancelled due to the strike and  also some of our bookings have either been delayed or cancelled.”
 Tramboo said the strike by Air India has resulted in airfare hike. “The tourists are stating they have to pay extra money on their air tickets, due to cancellation of AI flights.”
 The travel agents fear ‘if the stand off between the pilots and centre government continues it will have drastic effect on our business.”
 Secretary, TASK, Muhammad Rafiq Siah said: “Presently we are receiving number of queries from tourists regarding flights. We want that this strike should end soon and we appeal to centre government and air India pilots to shun the path of confrontation and resolve the matter amicably.”
 Farooq Ahmad a Travel Agent said: “We want the strike should end as soon as possible, as it is proving very harmful to the overall tourism industry.”
 Pertinently, the strike by the Air India pilots entered sixth day today. Passenger is the worst-hit with at least 22 flights already being cancelled.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 13 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 13 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 IST