CM Omar thanks Centre
Srinagar, July 4: In a major relief for air travellers, the proposed weekly closure of Srinagar Airport’s runway for maintenance has been withdrawn, with airport authorities announcing that flight operations will continue on all days while runway repair works will be carried out during night hours till October 2026.
In a revised operational plan issued on Saturday, the airport said there will be no full airfield closure this year. Flights will continue to operate daily between 8 am and 5 pm, while maintenance work on the runway will be undertaken after flight operations conclude each day.
The airport also withdrew the earlier Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that had proposed complete runway closures on Mondays and Tuesdays, directing airlines to revise their schedules in accordance with the new operating hours.
Passengers have been advised to check the status of their flights with their respective airlines before leaving for the airport and rely only on official sources for updates.
The decision came after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah raised the issue with the Union Government, expressing concern that the proposed closures would severely affect passengers, tourism and trade in Jammu and Kashmir during the peak travel season.
Welcoming the decision, Abdullah thanked Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu for responding positively to the concerns raised by the Jammu and Kashmir Government.
“Grateful to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Ji and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Ji for acceding to our request and suspending the airport closure order. This closure had created a lot of difficulties for regular travellers and forced tour groups and tourists to cancel their planned visits,” the Chief Minister said.
He said the decision would ensure uninterrupted air connectivity to the Union Territory, preventing disruption to travel, tourism and economic activity. Maintaining seamless air connectivity, particularly during the peak tourist season, is vital for Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, he added.
The earlier maintenance plan had envisaged suspension of flight operations on Mondays and Tuesdays, followed by a complete closure of the airport for about two weeks after October 16 to facilitate runway repairs. Under the revised plan, maintenance will instead be carried out during night hours, allowing uninterrupted daytime flight operations.
Srinagar Airport handles around 60 to 70 commercial flight movements on an average day, with traffic often crossing 100 daily flights during the peak tourist season. The Srinagar-Delhi sector remains the busiest route, accounting for more than half of the airport’s weekly departures.
