Srinagar, June 2: Srinagar International Airport in Jammu and Kashmir will be closed for essential runway maintenance and repairs from October 1 for a duration of 15 days. Officials announced this information on Tuesday.
The suspension of flights coincides with the Durga Puja holidays, raising concerns about significant losses for local tourism due to the airport’s closure.
Traditionally, a large number of tourists from West Bengal visit the valley during this period. Travel operators fear that this closure will lead to mass cancellations of bookings, resulting in substantial economic damage.
According to airport officials, maintenance work will begin in phases before the complete shutdown. Starting in July, the airport will be closed for operations two days a week (Monday and Tuesday).
The full closure will take place from October 1 to October 15.
Officials stated that runway repairs are essential for operational safety. They noted that a flight ban has been in effect since April 6, following a ‘Notice to Airmen’ issued by the Indian Air Force.
Due to ongoing engineering works, the airport’s operational hours have already been significantly reduced. Currently, flights operate only between 8 AM and 5 PM, a decrease from the previous schedule of 7 AM to 10 PM.
In light of the upcoming closure in October, stakeholders in the hotel and tourism sectors are urging a reconsideration of the timeline. They argue that cutting air connectivity during the peak domestic tourism season could devastate the local economy.
On average, approximately 4,000 passengers transit through Srinagar International Airport daily.
Most tourists currently arrive by air or via the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. However, rail services from other parts of the country to Jammu Railway Station and from there to the valley are still operational. Despite this, tourists are not utilizing the rail route and prefer air travel.
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