Srinagar, June 1: At a time when runway repair works at Srinagar International Airport have led to complications involving the baggage of Hajj pilgrims returning from the annual pilgrimage, the airport is set to witness a twice-a-week closure from July through September this year.
According to Director, Airports Authority of India (AAI), Srinagar, Javed Anjum, the airport will remain closed every Monday and Tuesday from July until the end of September.
“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,” Anjum said.
Notably, a letter issued by the Indian Air Force in February to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and all airlines operating flights to Srinagar had stated that the airport would remain closed every Saturday and Sunday from August 1 to October 15 due to resurfacing work. A copy of the communication is with Greater Kashmir.
However, airport officials have now confirmed that the previously scheduled closure days have been revised.
“Instead of weekends, the airport will remain closed every Monday and Tuesday for three months beginning July 1,” an official said.
The official added that a decision regarding airport operations beyond September will be taken at a later stage.
Earlier, flight operations at Srinagar International Airport were restricted between April and July to facilitate runway works.
A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued by the Indian Air Force stated that runway works commencing in the first week of April would temporarily restrict operational hours for scheduled flights until 5 pm from April 6 to July 31. The Airports Authority of India, Srinagar, had also shared the information through its official X handle.
Before the operational window was curtailed, around 60 flight movements (arrivals and departures) were handled daily between 8 am and 10 pm at Srinagar Airport. However, despite the restriction of flight operations to the period between 8 am and 5 pm, the number of flights has largely remained unchanged and has, at times, even increased.
At present, Srinagar Airport handles nearly 35 to 40 flight arrivals daily.
“While the watch hours have been reduced, flight movements are expected to increase in line with the DGCA-approved Summer Schedule. Airlines will plan and operate flights accordingly within the revised timings,” the AAI had said.
