6 days ago
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The Srinagar International Airport volition suspend each formation operations for 15 days starting October 1 to acquisition important runway attraction and repair work, officials said connected Tuesday (June 2, 2026).
The two-week shutdown is expected to woody a monolithic stroke to Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism sector, arsenic it straight clashes with the highest Durga Puja vacation season.
The Valley traditionally witnesses a monolithic influx of tourists from West Bengal during this period, and question operators fearfulness the closure volition pb to wide cancellations and dense fiscal losses.
According to airdrome officials, a phased attraction docket volition statesman up of the full shutdown.
Starting successful July, airdrome operations volition beryllium closed for 2 days each week. This volition culminate successful the afloat 15-day closure from October 1 to October 15.
The runway repairs are indispensable for operational safety, the officials said, adding that formation restrictions person already been successful spot since April 6 pursuing a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Indian Air Force.
The ongoing engineering enactment has already drastically reduced the airport’s operational window, with flights present operating lone betwixt 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., a important simplification from the erstwhile docket of 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
With the October closure looming, hospitality and question stakeholders are urging authorities to reconsider the timeline, saying that cutting disconnected aerial connectivity during 1 of the busiest periods for home tourism could devastate the section economy.
