Srinagar International Airport in Jammu and Kashmir will suspend all flight operations for 15 days beginning 1 October, airport officials confirmed on Tuesday, citing critical runway maintenance and repair work essential for operational safety. The full closure, running through 15 October, coincides directly with the Durga Puja holiday season — one of the busiest domestic tourism windows of the year for the Kashmir Valley.

Phased Shutdown Already Under Way

The closure is not abrupt. According to airport officials, a phased maintenance schedule took effect in July, under which the airport shuts on Mondays and Tuesdays every week. This partial shutdown will progressively build toward the complete 15-day suspension in October.

Flight restrictions have, in fact, been in place since 6 April, following a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Indian Air Force. The ongoing engineering work has already sharply reduced the airport's operational window — flights currently run only between 8 am and 5 pm, down from the earlier schedule of 7 am to 10 pm.

Tourism Sector Braces for Heavy Losses

The timing of the October shutdown has alarmed hospitality and travel stakeholders across the Valley. The Durga Puja period traditionally draws a massive influx of tourists from West Bengal, and travel operators fear that the airport closure will trigger widespread cancellations and significant financial losses.

The Srinagar International Airport handles an average of nearly 4,000 passengers per day, and air travel remains the dominant mode of arrival for tourists visiting the Valley. Industry representatives are urging authorities to reconsider the October timeline, warning that cutting off air connectivity during peak season could devastate the local economy.

Limited Alternatives for Travellers

Road and rail options exist but are not yet the preferred choice for most visitors. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remains the primary overland route, while train services connect the rest of the country to Jammu Railway Station and extend onward into the Valley. However, according to officials, tourists have largely continued to favour the air route over rail despite existing connectivity.

This means that for the 15-day closure window, travellers planning Kashmir trips during Durga Puja will face a genuine connectivity gap with no equivalent alternative that matches the speed and convenience of flying directly into Srinagar.

What Authorities Have Said

Airport officials have maintained that the runway repairs are non-negotiable from a safety standpoint. The NOTAM-backed restrictions already in force since April underscore the urgency of the maintenance programme. No official statement has yet been issued on whether the October timeline can be adjusted in response to industry concerns.

With the closure now formally on the calendar, the coming weeks are likely to see intensified lobbying from the Valley's tourism and hospitality sector for either a rescheduling or alternative connectivity arrangements.