“Every runway needs maintenance. Here, the last maintenance was done 15 years ago. Maintenance of a runway is necessary every 10 years. So, we have taken up the maintenance of the runway at the airport here,” Director, AAI, Srinagar airport, Javed Anjum, told reporters.
Also read: Omar Abdullah raises concern over proposed Srinagar airport closure with Union ministers for Defence and Aviation
The AAI has decided to shut the highway two days a week — Monday and Tuesday — from July, and then for a fortnight in October to carry out the necessary maintenance of the runway.
“Monday and Tuesday are mandatory, and for safe aircraft operations we need safe runways. That is why we are maintaining it. On Monday and Tuesday, we will take up a small portion, then for five days work (flight operations) will go on and flights will operate. Then the next Monday-Tuesday again, we will take up another portion,” Anjum said.
He said that in October, the final work has to be done and so it would become “inevitable” to shut the runway, and therefore flight operations will remain closed for 15 days.
The director, however, said the authority would abide by any directions from the government on the flight operations.”As and when we get instructions, whatever the plan of the government is, we will abide by that. As of now, this is the plan. But, if we are told to operate (flights), or to delay it, defer it, then we will do that,” he added.
The runway maintenance and the closure for a fortnight has raised alarm bells within the tourism industry, which fears the shutdown will deal a massive blow to the sector as it directly clashes with the peak Durga Puja holiday season.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, suggesting the opening of the strategic IAF airport at Awantipora in South Kashmir to civilian traffic in October.
He suggested that if the closure of the Srinagar airport is absolutely necessary, the alternative airfield at Awantipora should be opened for civilian traffic during that fortnight.
Meanwhile, Anjum said the AAI is celebrating ‘Yatri Suvidha Diwas’ on Monday at the airport with the objective to showcase the recent developments along with the passenger centric initiatives reaffirming its commitment towards providing a seamless, safe and passenger-friendly travel experience.
He said the airport has witnessed significant growth in air connectivity with enhanced flight operations and improved access to various domestic destinations, strengthening regional connectivity and promoting economic development.
“The passenger handling has increased from 2.04 million in 2014-15 to 4.47 million in 2024-25. Although we dropped to 3.38 million in 2025-26, post Pahalgam (terror attack),” he said.
Anjum said continuous efforts are being made to enhance passenger convenience through improved terminal facilities, better accessibility, digital initiatives and customer service excellence.
He said the growth of air cargo operations has facilitated faster movement of perishable goods, “handicrafts, industrial products and other commodities. Over the last five years, the cargo handled at Srinagar airport has increased from 7,000 Mt to 10,500 Mt. We have annual handling capacity of 40,000 Mt,” he added.
Talking about the future plans, Anjum said the Centre has allocated Rs 1,667 crores for the expansion of the Srinagar airport project, wherein the terminal capacity will increase from 2.5 MPPA to 10 MPPA with an increase in area from 20,000 sqm to 71,000 sqm along with multi-level car parking with a capacity of 1,000 vehicles.
“The new terminal will be at par with the international standards with a capacity to handle 15 aircraft at a time. The project will be completed within the span of four years,” he said.
He also said that association with UT administration and NHAI, a new airport link is also being planned from the ring road, which will enhance and ease the passenger approach to the airport.