Srinagar, July 4 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday expressed gratitude to the Union government for its prompt and positive response to concerns regarding the closure of Srinagar airport.

The Chief Minister’s office has said, “The Chief Minister (Omar Abdullah) has expressed gratitude to the Union government for its prompt and positive response to the concerns regarding the proposed runway closure at Srinagar Airport.”

“The Chief Minister had personally taken up the matter with the Union government to safeguard the interests of passengers, the tourism sector, trade, and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The decision ensures uninterrupted air connectivity to the region, preventing disruption to travel, tourism, and economic activity.”

As against the previous decision, authorities said that no full closure of Srinagar international airport will take place this year.

Srinagar airport officials on social media platform X said, “Passengers are advised that there will be no full airfield closure at Srinagar Airport this year.”

“Airport operations will continue on all days with operational/watch hours from 0800 hrs to 1700 hrs. Night closures for runway maintenance will continue until October 2026.”

“The previously proposed NOTAM regarding full runway closure on Mondays and Tuesdays is being withdrawn. Airlines will continue to update their schedules in accordance with the prevailing operational timings.”

“Passengers are requested to check their flight status with their respective airlines before proceeding to the airport and rely only on official channels for authentic updates,” airport officials added.

It had previously been announced that there would be no flight operation from Srinagar airport on Mondays and Tuesdays and after October 16, the airport would be closed for flight operations for a fortnight because of runway maintenance.

It has now been decided that runway maintenance will take place after flight operations end each day till these operations begin the next day.

Srinagar Airport handles around 60 to 70 commercial flight movements (arrivals and departures combined) on an average day, which translates to about 30 to 35 round-trip flights.

However, during peak tourist seasons (especially spring and summer) or peak travel days, this frequency often scales up to 100 or more daily flights.

The route between Srinagar and Delhi is the most heavily trafficked, accounting for more than 56 per cent of all weekly departures with 15–20 daily flights.

The Srinagar Airport is served by five major domestic airlines: IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Air India Express, and Akasa Air.

These airlines offer direct flights to major cities across India.

–IANS

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