Flight operations at Srinagar Airport will be limited to between 8 am and 5 pm from April 6, as the Indian Air Force undertakes runway upgradation work expected to continue through the summer and into autumn. The restrictions are raising concerns among Kashmir’s tourism industry ahead of what is typically the valley’s peak visitor season.
Under the revised schedule, up to 34 flights may operate daily within the restricted window, compared to over 100 daily movements recorded during peak season in May 2024. The curtailed hours will eliminate early morning and late evening services, reducing overall capacity and likely pushing up airfares at a time when demand is highest.
Tourism stakeholders have flagged the potential impact on both leisure travel and weekend corporate traffic, two segments that contribute significantly to the local economy. The concern is compounded by the fact that Kashmir’s tourism sector is still recovering from the effects of the Pahalgam attack in April 2025, which severely disrupted the entire 2025 travel year.
Airport officials have confirmed that the runway strengthening is a routine process carried out every 10 to 15 years. No complete closure is currently planned.
