In a historic decision for Jammu and Kashmir, the first international flight connection from Srinagar to Sharjah (in the United Arad Emirates) will be started soon as efforts are on so that international travellers come directly to Srinagar. 

International flight operations are likely to resume at the Srinagar airport as efforts are on to start services between here and Sharjah, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Saturday.

He also said that the terminal at the Srinagar airport will be expanded from 25,000 square metre to 63,000 square metre.

"The first international flight connection from Srinagar to Sharjah (in the United Arad Emirates) will be started soon. Efforts are on so that international travellers come directly to Srinagar. This will be a historic decision, not just for Jammu and Kashmir, but the whole country," Scindia told reporters here.

There will be an investment of ?1,500 crore at the Srinagar airport, while ?600 crore will be spent on the Jammu airport.

"The Jammu airport will have a new 25,000 square metre terminal, adding to the existing one," the Union minister said.

The runway at the Jammu airport has been extended to 8,000 feet and there will be no load penalty on flights at the airport from October 1, he said.