Srinagar : In a significant relief for air travellers, tourism stakeholders and the wider business community in Kashmir Valley, the authorities at the Srinagar International Airport on Saturday announced the withdrawal of the proposed weekly runway closure plan, confirming that flight operations will continue on all seven days of the week without any full-day suspension of services.
According to an official operational update issued by the airport authorities, the earlier proposed Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), which had envisaged complete runway closures on Mondays and Tuesdays as part of the ongoing runway resurfacing and rehabilitation project, has now been withdrawn. The decision ensures uninterrupted flight operations throughout the year and addresses growing concerns raised by the tourism industry, airlines and passengers over the potential disruption such closures could have caused during the peak travel season.
The airport clarified that its operational and watch hours will continue from 8 am to 5 pm, while night-time closures required for runway maintenance and resurfacing work will remain in place until October. Importantly, these maintenance activities will be conducted during non-operational hours and will not affect regular daytime flight services.
“There will be no full airfield closure at Srinagar Airport this year. Flight operations will continue on all days with operational/watch hours from 0800 hrs to 1700 hrs. Night closures for runway maintenance will continue until October 2026,” the airport said in its official statement.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of widespread criticism that followed earlier proposals to shut down the airport twice a week between July and September. The plan had triggered deep concern among tourism stakeholders across the Kashmir Valley, who feared it would further hinder the region’s fragile tourism recovery following last year’s terror attack in Pahalgam, an incident that had already dealt a substantial blow to visitor confidence and local businesses dependent on tourism.
Among those voicing concern was Rauf Tramboo, president of the Jammu and Kashmir chapter of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) and head of a prominent adventure travel company. Tramboo had warned that the abrupt announcement of weekly closures risked disrupting travel plans for thousands of tourists, many of whom had already confirmed bookings and received detailed itineraries. According to him, the move could have resulted in cancellations, scheduling complications and reduced tourist arrivals during one of the most important periods of the year for Kashmir’s travel industry. He had also argued that any closure plan should have been communicated much earlier, enabling tour operators, hospitality businesses and airlines to make suitable adjustments and minimise losses.
The controversy emerged amid extensive runway resurfacing works currently underway at Srinagar Airport. The infrastructure upgrade project, which began on April 6, involves major reconstruction and strengthening of the runway surface. During this phase, the declared distance of Runway 31 has been reduced by 1,165 metres, affecting certain operational parameters. The revised runway specifications currently provide a Take-Off Run Available (TORA) and Landing Distance Available (LDA) of 2,218 metres, while the Take-Off Distance Available (TODA) stands at 2,526 metres and Accelerate-Stop Distance Available (ASDA) at 2,298 metres.
Since April, fixed-wing aircraft operations have been restricted to the 8 am to 5 pm window, allowing resurfacing activities to continue overnight until early morning. The ongoing works have also temporarily rendered the runway approach lighting system and the Instrument Landing System (ILS) unavailable, requiring aircraft to operate using alternative navigation procedures.
Prior to the implementation of these restrictions, Srinagar Airport handled nearly 60 flight movements daily between 8 am and 10 pm. Despite reduced watch hours, airlines have adjusted schedules in line with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)-approved summer timetable, allowing the airport to continue handling approximately 35 to 40 arrivals each day.
Earlier assessments by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had highlighted the scale of disruption that runway closures could potentially cause. One impact study projected that weekend shutdowns could affect around 550 flights, equivalent to nearly 1,100 aircraft movements, and inconvenience roughly 2.1 lakh passengers. The report estimated that approximately 2,400 passengers per day would be affected under restricted operational scenarios.
Another rehabilitation proposal had also outlined a phased runway upgrade programme extending until November 2026, including the possibility of a 21-day complete shutdown between October 16 and November 5 for intensive resurfacing works. Night operations were additionally expected to remain suspended for several months because of the temporary unavailability of the Airfield Lighting System.
Recently, the airport had simultaneously been managing logistical challenges associated with the return of Haj pilgrims. Due to NOTAM-related restrictions and runway limitations, a substantial portion of baggage arriving on Haj flights from Ahmedabad had had to be transported separately by road, causing inconvenience and frustration among pilgrims awaiting their belongings.
With the withdrawal of the proposed twice-weekly closures, much of the uncertainty surrounding summer travel into Kashmir Valley has been eased. Airport authorities have advised airlines to revise and operate their schedules in accordance with the notified operational timings and urged passengers to stay in contact with their respective carriers for the latest flight information. Travellers have also been encouraged to verify the status of their flights before leaving for the airport and to rely exclusively on official sources for authentic updates regarding schedules and airport operations.
While the latest decision has been widely welcomed, airport officials have indicated that operational arrangements beyond September will depend on the progress of the ongoing resurfacing project.
The runway overhaul remains one of the most extensive infrastructure upgrades undertaken at Srinagar Airport in recent years, aimed at enhancing safety, operational efficiency and long-term capacity at one of the country’s most strategically important air gateways.
For now, however, the withdrawal of the proposed weekly closures has come as a major relief for passengers, airlines and the tourism sector alike, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity to the Kashmir Valley during a critical travel season while allowing essential runway modernisation work to continue alongside regular flight operations.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
