Srinagar, June 1: Amid ongoing runway resurfacing works that have already disrupted flight schedules and created baggage-related complications for returning Hajj pilgrims, Srinagar International Airport is set to undergo a major operational shutdown twice every week from July to September, significantly impacting air travel to and from Jammu and Kashmir.
An official confirmed that passenger flight operations at Srinagar Airport will remain suspended every Monday and Tuesday during July, August and September due to runway repair and resurfacing works.
“We have received communication that due to runway repair works, passenger flight operations will be suspended on every Monday and Tuesday during July, August and September,” he said.
The revised closure schedule marks a change from the original plan communicated by the Indian Air Force (IAF) earlier this year. In a February 3, 2026 communication issued by Air Force Station Srinagar to AAI and airlines operating at Srinagar Airport, the airfield was proposed to remain closed on all Saturdays and Sundays from August 1 to October 15 for runway resurfacing and associated works.
However, authorities have now revised the closure pattern and decided to keep the airport shut on Mondays and Tuesdays instead of weekends from July 1 onwards.
According to the runway impact assessment prepared by airport authorities, the resurfacing project commenced on April 6, 2026, and involves extensive reconstruction and resurfacing of the runway. During the ongoing phase of work, the available declared distance of Runway 31 has been reduced by 1,165 metres, substantially affecting airport operations. The revised runway parameters include a Take-Off Run Available (TORA) and Landing Distance Available (LDA) of 2,218 metres, while TODA stands at 2,526 metres and ASDA at 2,298 metres.
The documents, a copy of which is in the possession of news agency Kashmir Dot Com, reveal that fixed-wing aircraft operations have been restricted to between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm daily since April, with all runway resurfacing activities being carried out from 5:00 pm until 8:00 am the following day. The works have also resulted in the temporary unavailability of runway approach lighting systems and Instrument Landing System (ILS) approaches, forcing aircraft to rely on alternative navigation procedures.
Prior to the curtailment of operational hours, Srinagar Airport handled around 60 flight movements, including arrivals and departures, daily between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm. Despite the reduced watch hours, airport authorities maintained that airlines have adjusted schedules to accommodate passenger demand within the restricted operational window.
At present, Srinagar Airport receives around 35 to 40 flight arrivals daily, with airlines operating under the DGCA-approved summer schedule.
The original impact assessment earlier carried out by AAI based on existing traffic levels had projected that closure of the airport during weekends would adversely affect around 550 flights, translating into nearly 1,100 aircraft movements, and approximately 2.1 lakh passenger movements. The assessment estimated that nearly 2,400 passengers per day would be impacted during periods of restricted operations.
Another note had proposed a phased runway rehabilitation plan extending up to November 2026. Under that plan, civil flight operations were to continue between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm until July 31, followed by complete weekend closures from August 1 to October 15 and a possible 21-day full closure from October 16 to November 5 for intensive resurfacing works. The document also noted that night civil flight operations would remain suspended for nearly seven-and-a-half months due to the non-availability of the Airfield Lighting System during the construction period.
The latest announcement comes at a time when the airport is already facing operational challenges linked to Hajj return flights. Due to restrictions arising from the ongoing runway works and related NOTAMs, a significant portion of Hajj pilgrims’ baggage arriving from Ahmedabad is being transported separately by road to Srinagar, leading to inconvenience and resentment among pilgrims.
Officials said a final decision regarding airport operations beyond September will be taken after reviewing the progress of the resurfacing project and operational requirements.
The runway resurfacing exercise is one of the most extensive airfield infrastructure projects undertaken at Srinagar Airport in recent years and is aimed at enhancing runway safety, operational efficiency and long-term aviation capacity at the strategically important airport. (KDC)
