Why Srinagar airport will remain closed for two days in a week: All you need to know | Today’s news
Srinagar International Airport will remain closed as per the latest update. From July 2026, the runway at the Srinagar airport will not operate on Mondays and Tuesdays, officials said. Later, all flight operations at Srinagar airport will be suspended for 15 days starting October 1 for runway maintenance and repairs.
Srinagar International Airport services will remain closed in October
Srinagar Airport will see a straight two-week shutdown from October 2026.
An official notification reads, “As part of the proposed runway maintenance (maintenance) work by the Indian Air Force, the runway at Srinagar Airport has been scheduled to be unavailable on every Monday and Tuesday from 1 July 2026 to 30 September 2026.
“In addition, it is also proposed to keep the runway completely closed from October 1, 2026 to October 16, 2026.”
It is expected to create a massive impact that will directly affect the tourism sector of Jammu and Kashmir, clashing with the peak festival of Durga Puja and Navaratri 2026. The period is considered to be one of the busiest domestic tourism blocks of the year.
“Passengers are informed that the above plan is currently in the planning stage. Once formal approval is received, detailed information will be shared through official channels.
“Passengers are requested to stay in touch with official channels of Srinagar airport and concerned airlines for authentic and timely information and not rely on unverified information,” the official statement added.
The Valley traditionally sees a massive influx of tourists from West Bengal and other states during this period.
According to PTI, the closure of the airport is expected to cause widespread travel disruptions, raising fears of financial losses among tourism operators.
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Changes to airport services from next month
Starting in July, the airport will be closed for two days each week. This will culminate in a complete 15-day closure from October 1 to October 15.
“As part of the planned runway maintenance work by the Indian Air Force, it is proposed that the runway at Srinagar Airport will remain unavailable on every Monday and Tuesday from 1 July 2026 to 30 September 2026. It is further proposed to completely close the runway from 1 October 2026 to 16 October 2026.
“Passengers are kindly advised that the above plan is currently in the planning stage. Once the plan is formally approved, detailed updates will be shared through official channels,” according to an official announcement.
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For the uninitiated, runway repairs are critical to operational safety, according to officials. The flight restrictions are said to be in place since April 6 following a notification to airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Indian Air Force.
According to the agency, ongoing engineering work has already drastically reduced the airport’s operating window.
Currently, Srinagar Airport operates flights only between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. This already means a significant reduction compared to the previous schedule from 19:00 to 22:00.
With the October closure looming, people across the hospitality and tourism sectors are reportedly urging the authorities to reconsider the timetable. Many fear the move could seriously disrupt tourism, affect visitor arrivals and lead to significant business losses during the upcoming holiday season.
