Srinagar Airport To Remain Shut Twice A Week From July 2026 Amid Runway Works

Srinagar Airport is likely to see flight disruptions this summer as runway work is scheduled between July and September 2026. The current plan suggests shutting down operations every Monday and Tuesday during that period to allow repair and resurfacing work to be carried out, reportedly linked to the Indian Air Force’s maintenance programme.

If the schedule goes ahead as expected, airlines operating in and out of Kashmir will have to adjust timings or cancel some services on those two days each week.

Srinagar Airport has already been functioning under reduced hours since April 2026 because of ongoing runway work. The shorter operating window was introduced to keep repair work moving while still allowing scheduled services to continue.

Even with the tighter timings, flight activity has mostly held steady. Airlines have been working around the restrictions by shifting departure and arrival slots within the available hours. At present, the airport handles around 35 to 40 aircraft movements a day and remains one of the main air links for Jammu and Kashmir.

Planned Operating Restrictions During Runway Works

Work on the runway at Srinagar Airport is being carried out in stages through 2026, and flight operations are being adjusted around it. The changes are a mix of weekly shutdowns, shorter operating hours, and a possible extended closure later in the year. Airlines are expected to keep shifting schedules as each phase comes into effect.

• Monday–Tuesday shutdowns: From July 1 to September 30, 2026, the airport is expected to remain closed to regular flights at the start of each week while resurfacing work is carried out.

• Flights on remaining days: Air traffic is planned to operate from Wednesday through Sunday, following the DGCA summer schedule, though timings will depend on how much runway time is available each day.

• Daytime-only operations: Until July 31, 2026, a NOTAM restricts movements to a fixed window between 8 AM and 5 PM, with no early morning departures or late evening arrivals at present.

• Proposed October pause: A further 15-day halt in operations, from 1 to October 16, has been suggested for finishing work on the runway. The proposal is still awaiting clearance.

Impact On Travel And Tourism

The planned restrictions at Srinagar Airport come during a busy travel period and are expected to affect both tourism and pilgrimage traffic.

• Passenger disruption: Around 2,00,000 passenger movements may be impacted over the three-month period due to weekly closures and reduced operating windows.

• Peak season overlap: The timing clashes with the Amarnath Yatra (July 3 to August 28, 2026) and the peak summer tourist season, prompting concerns among hoteliers and travel operators over cancellations and softer bookings.

• Haj travel impact: Earlier payload limits have already created baggage handling issues for returning Haj pilgrims, with some return services now being routed via Ahmedabad on directions from the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs.

What Travellers Should Keep In Mind

Travel plans to and from Kashmir during this period may need a bit of extra checking, as flight schedules are being adjusted around runway work at Srinagar Airport.

• Double-check bookings: Anyone flying on a Monday or Tuesday between July and September 2026 should confirm their flight directly with the airline, as timings or days of operation may be changed around the closure schedule.

• Use official updates only: Any changes to timings or cancellations will be shared by airlines and the Srinagar Airport X handle, so it’s best to rely on those instead of forwarded messages or unverified posts.

• Plan for busy flights: With fewer operating days in the week, seats are likely to get booked quickly on the days flights do run, which could also push fares up during peak travel periods.

(With inputs from various sources)

FAQs

Why are flights being suspended at Srinagar Airport?
Flight operations are being adjusted to allow phased runway repair and resurfacing work, which is being carried out in stages through 2026.

Which days will flights not operate?
From 1 July to 30 September 2026, flights are expected to remain suspended every Monday and Tuesday due to scheduled runway work.

Will flights operate on other days?
Yes. Services are planned from Wednesday to Sunday under the regular DGCA summer timetable, depending on operational conditions.

Are current flights already affected?
Yes. Since April 2026, operations have been running under restricted hours between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm due to ongoing maintenance work.

Will there be a complete shutdown later in the year?
A further short-term closure has been proposed for October 2026, but it has not yet been formally approved.