After CM Omar’s intervention, AAI withdraws Srinagar airport runway closure plan

In a significant relief for Amarnath pilgrims, Kashmir’s tourism sector and air travellers, the Srinagar International Airport on Saturday withdrew its proposed two-day-a-week runway closure for maintenance, allowing normal daytime flight operations to continue across the year.

The Srinagar Airport withdrew its Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for full runway closure to carry out repairs and maintenance, ensuring uninterrupted daytime flight operations.

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In an operational update posted on X, the airport said there would be no full airfield closure during 2026.

In an operational update, the Srinagar airport wrote on X, “Operating hours will remain from 0800 Hrs to 1700 Hrs on all days. Passengers are advised that there will be no full airfield closure at Srinagar Airport this year.”

“Airport 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“The previously proposed NOTAM regarding full runway closure on Mondays and Tuesdays is being withdrawn. Airlines will continue to update their schedules in accordance with the prevailing operational timings. Passengers are requested to check their flight status with their respective airlines before proceeding to the airport and rely only on official channels for authentic updates,” they said.

Earlier, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had decided to shut the runway on Mondays and Tuesdays, from July, followed by a fortnight-long closure in October, to undertake essential maintenance work.

Responding to the decision, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wrote on X “Grateful to the Defence Minister @rajnathsingh Sb & Civil Aviation Minister @RamMNK for acceding to our request and suspending the airport closure order. This closure had created a lot of difficulties for regular travellers & forced tour groups/tourists to cancel planned visits”.

On 12 June, Omar separately met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu in New Delhi and raised concerns over the proposed closure of Srinagar International Airport from October 1 to 16, scheduled under Phase III of the runway resurfacing project.

During the meetings, the Chief Minister underscored the importance of maintaining uninterrupted air connectivity to Jammu & Kashmir, particularly during the peak tourism season when the Valley attracts a large number of visitors from across the country.

Highlighting the broader economic implications, Omar said the proposed closure could lead to large-scale travel disruptions and cancellations, causing inconvenience to residents and visitors alike while impacting business activity during a crucial tourism season.

In his meeting with the Defence Minister, the Chief Minister requested that the Indian Air Force examine the possibility of shortening or phasing the final stage of the runway works without compromising safety or operational requirements. He further requested that, in the event a complete closure of Srinagar Airport becomes unavoidable, minimal civil flight operations, commensurate with the operational capacity of the Awantipora Air Base, may be permitted.