Shillong: Srinagar International Airport in Jammu and Kashmir will suspend all flight operations for 15 days starting October 1 to facilitate critical runway repairs. Officials confirmed the shutdown will last through October 15, marking the culmination of a phased maintenance project aimed at ensuring operational safety.
The closure coincides with the peak Durga Puja holiday season, a time when the region typically sees a high volume of visitors from West Bengal. Travel operators and hospitality stakeholders warn that halting air traffic during this period could cause widespread booking cancellations and significant financial losses for the local economy. The airport manages an average of 4,000 passengers daily, with most tourists preferring air travel over the Jammu-Srinagar highway or existing rail connections.
Preparation for the full closure begins in July, with the airport shutting down every Monday and Tuesday each week. Engineering work has already impacted the facility, as current flight operations are restricted to an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. window, down from the standard 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. schedule. These ongoing restrictions follow a Notice to Airmen issued by the Indian Air Force in April.
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