Srinagar Airport Withdraws Weekly Runway Closure Plan, Daily Flights to Continue Until October 2026
By: News Desk | 04 July 2026
In a significant relief for air travelers, the tourism industry and businesses across Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar Airport has withdrawn its earlier proposal for weekly runway closures, ensuring uninterrupted daytime flight operations throughout the peak tourist season.
The decision means that scheduled commercial flights will continue every day between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, while runway resurfacing and maintenance work will be carried out only during night hours until October 2026.
The move follows concerns raised by tourism stakeholders, business associations and the Jammu and Kashmir government, which warned that prolonged runway closures during the peak travel season could have severely affected tourism, trade and overall connectivity.
Major Relief After Revised Airport Operations Plan
The revised operational plan replaces an earlier proposal that would have significantly restricted flight services at Srinagar Airport.
Under the previous plan:
- Weekly runway closures were scheduled every Monday and Tuesday beginning in July.
- A complete 15-day runway shutdown had also been proposed in October to facilitate maintenance work.
- Airlines were expected to cancel or reschedule a substantial number of flights.
The revised decision ensures that these daytime disruptions will no longer take place.
Instead, aircraft operations will continue daily, with engineering work confined to nighttime when commercial traffic is minimal.
New Flight Operations Schedule at Srinagar Airport
Passengers can now expect regular daytime connectivity throughout the maintenance period.
Operational Timings
- Flight Operations: Daily from 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM
- Night Hours: Reserved for runway maintenance and engineering work
- Maintenance Period: Expected to continue until October 2026
Although flights will operate normally during the day, airlines may slightly adjust departure and arrival timings to accommodate the revised operational window.
Passengers are therefore advised to verify their schedules before travelling.
Government Intervention Played a Key Role
The decision follows intervention by the Jammu and Kashmir government after widespread concern over the proposed runway closures.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Rajnath Singh and K. Rammohan Naidu, requesting a review of the maintenance schedule.
The Chief Minister argued that limiting flights during the busiest tourism months would have affected visitors, local businesses and the Valley’s economy.
Following discussions, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) revised the maintenance plan and withdrew the earlier Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that had announced the weekly runway closures.
The revised arrangement balances essential runway maintenance with the need to maintain uninterrupted air connectivity.
Why the Decision Matters for Kashmir Tourism
Peak Tourist Season Protected
The July to October period is among the busiest tourism seasons in Kashmir.
During these months, thousands of visitors arrive from states including:
- Gujarat
- Maharashtra
- West Bengal
- Delhi
- Karnataka
- Tamil Nadu
Many travel to experience destinations such as Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg.
Industry representatives had warned that repeated flight cancellations could discourage tourists, increase travel costs and affect hotel bookings during the crucial holiday season.
The revised airport schedule removes much of that uncertainty.
Positive News for Hotels, Tour Operators and Local Businesses
The hospitality sector is expected to benefit significantly from uninterrupted flight operations.
Hotel owners, travel agencies, taxi operators, houseboat operators, restaurants and handicraft businesses depend heavily on steady tourist arrivals.
With flights continuing every day, tour operators can now confidently:
- Confirm travel itineraries.
- Accept advance bookings.
- Plan group tours.
- Reduce the risk of cancellations caused by airport closures.
For businesses that rely on seasonal tourism, the decision provides much-needed operational certainty.
Trade and Cargo Movement Also Get a Boost
The benefits extend beyond tourism.
Daily air connectivity supports the transport of time-sensitive and high-value goods, including:
- Fresh flowers
- Handicrafts
- Premium agricultural products
- Business parcels
- Medical supplies
Reliable flight schedules also improve business confidence by ensuring smoother logistics during the maintenance period.
Kashmir Economic Alliance Welcomes the Decision
Business groups across the Valley have welcomed the revised operational plan.
The Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) described the withdrawal of the proposed daytime runway closures as a major relief for Kashmir’s economy, noting that uninterrupted connectivity is vital for tourism, trade and investor confidence.
Industry stakeholders believe the decision will help preserve business momentum during one of the most important periods of the year.
What Travelers Should Know
Although daily flights will continue, passengers should keep the following points in mind:
- Flight operations will generally be available between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
- Night-time runway maintenance means late evening and overnight operations will remain restricted until October 2026.
- Airlines may revise departure or arrival timings within the available operational window.
- Travelers should confirm their flight status directly with their airline before leaving for the airport.
Planning ahead can help avoid last-minute inconvenience.
Srinagar Airport Operations: Before vs Now
| Aspect | Earlier Proposal | Current Update |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly Runway Closure | Every Monday and Tuesday | Withdrawn |
| October Shutdown | 15-day complete closure | Cancelled |
| Daytime Flight Operations | Restricted on closure days | Daily (8 AM–5 PM) |
| Night Maintenance | Planned | Continues until October 2026 |
| Tourism Impact | Risk of cancellations | Peak season protected |
Outlook
The withdrawal of the proposed weekly runway closures is expected to provide a timely boost to Kashmir’s tourism industry, which is entering one of its busiest seasons. By ensuring uninterrupted daytime flight operations, authorities have addressed concerns raised by travelers, tourism businesses and trade bodies while allowing essential runway maintenance to continue during the night.
The decision reflects an effort to balance infrastructure upgrades with the Valley’s economic needs. If the night-time maintenance schedule proceeds as planned, Srinagar Airport will remain fully connected during the day, helping sustain tourism, business travel and cargo movement until the project is completed in October 2026.
