J&K Chief Minister Seeks Alternatives to Srinagar Airport Closure During Peak Tourism Season
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met with India's Defence and Civil Aviation Ministers on June 12, 2026, to express concerns about a planned 15-day closure of Srinagar International Airport from October 1-16 for runway resurfacing work. The closure coincides with the peak autumn tourism season, which Abdullah warned would harm tourism, hospitality, and related sectors across the region. Abdullah proposed shortening the closure period, phasing the work, or operating flights from Awantipora Air Base as alternatives that maintain safety standards.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah raised concerns with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu about the proposed 15-day closure of Srinagar International Airport scheduled for October 1-16, 2026, as part of Phase-3 of a runway resurfacing project. While acknowledging that the resurfacing work is essential for operational safety and respecting the Indian Air Force's assessment, Abdullah emphasized that the timing conflicts with the peak autumn tourism season when Kashmir Valley attracts large numbers of visitors. He noted that air services have already been curtailed since April due to earlier phases of the resurfacing programme, and a complete suspension during early October would adversely affect tourism, hospitality, transport, handicrafts, and allied sectors supporting thousands of livelihoods. Abdullah requested the Indian Air Force examine possibilities for shortening or phasing the final stage without compromising safety, and proposed allowing civilian flights to operate from Awantipora Air Base during the closure period, citing a successful precedent from September 2010. He urged both ministers to facilitate discussions on reviewing the timing of Phase-3 and exploring contingency arrangements to maintain air connectivity.
What's missing
The specific reasons for scheduling the runway resurfacing work during October, whether alternative dates were previously considered, and the Indian Air Force or Civil Aviation Ministry's response to the Chief Minister's proposals are not detailed in the provided article.
What different sources said
- The Times of IndiaCenter
'Pristine forests at risk': Jairam Ramesh urges Rajnath Singh to rethink Great Nicobar airport, expand IN
- The HinduCenter
J&K CM raises concern over 15-day closure of Srinagar airport with Defence, Civil Aviation Ministers
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