Srinagar, June 11: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday urged the Centre to consider opening the Awantipora airfield for civilian flights during the proposed closure of Srinagar Airport from October 1 to 15 for runway repairs.
During separate meetings with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, Abdullah expressed concern over the impact of the shutdown on tourism, particularly during the peak autumn season when Kashmir attracts a large number of visitors.
He suggested that if the closure of Srinagar Airport is unavoidable, civilian flight operations should be allowed from the Indian Air Force-controlled Awantipora airfield to ensure uninterrupted air connectivity.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the concerns of the tourism sector, stating that any disruption in air travel during the busy tourist season could adversely affect the local economy. According to officials, the Centre will explore options to minimise the impact of the airport closure. (KINS)
