Travellers walk inside Srinagar International Airport amid snow piled up after heavy snowfall, in Srinagar, on February 3, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Fearing a negative impact on tourism, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday (June 12, 2026) expressed concern over the proposed closure of Srinagar International Airport from October 1 to 16 this year and met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu in New Delhi.
A spokesperson of the J&K government said Mr. Abdullah, during the meetings, underscored the importance of maintaining uninterrupted air connectivity to the Union Territory, “particularly during the peak autumn tourism season when the Kashmir Valley attracts a large number of visitors from across the country”.
The proposed closure of the airport from October 1 to 16 is scheduled under Phase-3 of the runway resurfacing project.
Mr. Abdullah acknowledged that the resurfacing works are essential for operational safety and fully respected the operational assessment of the Indian Air Force (IAF). However, he expressed concern over the timing of the final phase of the project, “which coincides with one of the busiest periods for the tourism sector”.
The spokesperson said the Chief Minister informed the Union Ministers that air services to the valley have already been curtailed since April owing to the earlier phases of the resurfacing programme.
“A complete suspension of flights during the first half of October would adversely affect tourism, hospitality, transport, handicrafts and allied sectors that sustain thousands of livelihoods across Jammu & Kashmir,” said Mr. Abdullah.
In his meeting with the Defence Minister, the spokesperson said Mr. Abdullah requested the Indian Air Force to examine the possibility of shortening or phasing the final stage of the runway works without compromising safety or operational requirements.
He also proposed that in the event that complete closure of Srinagar Airport becomes unavoidable, the operational capacity of the Awantipora Air Base “may be permitted from the air base during the closure period to ensure essential air connectivity for the region”.
Recalling his earlier tenure as Chief Minister, Mr. Abdullah noted that during the runway resurfacing works in September 2010, civilian flights had successfully operated from Awantipora under a coordinated arrangement involving the Ministries of Defence and Civil Aviation.
In his meeting with the Civil Aviation Minister, Mr. Abdullah also sought intervention to facilitate discussions with the Ministry of Defence on reviewing the timing of Phase-3, including the possibility of shortening, phasing or shifting the closure to a leaner travel window without compromising safety requirements.
He urged that contingency arrangements be explored in coordination with the Ministry of Defence and the Indian Air Force “to ensure continued air connectivity to the Valley in the event the closure remains unavoidable”.
Published – June 12, 2026 04:11 pm IST
