Srinagar International Airport to remain shut for fortnight from Oct 1 for runway works

SRINAGAR: Srinagar International Airport will suspend flight operations for 15 days from October 1 to October 15 to undergo critical runway maintenance and repair work, airport officials said on Tuesday.The two-week shutdown is expected to impact Jammu and Kashmir's tourism sector as it coincides with the peak Durga Puja holiday season, a period that typically sees a large influx of tourists, particularly from West Bengal.According to officials, the maintenance work will be carried out in phases. Starting in July, airport operations will be closed for two days every week. This will culminate in the full 15-day closure from October 1 to October 15.According to airport officials, a phased maintenance schedule will begin ahead of the total shutdown.The runway repairs are essential for operational safety, the officials said, adding that flight restrictions have already been in place since April 6 following a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Indian Air Force.The ongoing engineering work has already drastically shrunk the airport's operational window and flights currently operate only between 8 am and 5 pm, a significant reduction from the previous schedule of 7 pm to 10 pm.With the October closure looming, hospitality and travel stakeholders are urging authorities to reconsider the timeline, saying that a prolonged suspension of air connectivity during the festive season could adversely affect the local tourism-driven economy.(With PTI inputs)