Srinagar, Jun 04 (KNO): Tourism stakeholders in Kashmir on Thursday strongly pitched for an “alternate airport facility” in the Valley after Srinagar International Airport proposed a partial and complete runway closure for maintenance works later this year, saying the move could severely affect passengers and the tourism sector during the peak season.
As per the proposed plan issued by Srinagar Airport, the runway may remain unavailable on every Monday and Tuesday from July 01 to September 30, 2026, while a complete shutdown of operations has also been proposed from October 01 to October 16 due to maintenance works being undertaken by the Indian Air Force.
The proposed restrictions are expected to impact more than 12,000 passengers who use Srinagar airport daily for arrival and departure flights during the busy tourism season.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Srinagar airport currently witnesses an average daily footfall of over 12,000 passengers, including tourists, business travellers, pilgrims and locals, making it one of the busiest airports in north India during the summer months.
Chairman of the J&K Hoteliers Club, Mushtaq Chaya said the Valley’s tourism sector could face major losses if alternative arrangements are not made in advance.
“This decision will impact the entire tourism industry. Thousands of passengers travel through Srinagar airport every day, and any disruption during peak season will directly affect tourism, hotels, transporters and other sectors linked with travel,” Chaya told KNO.
He said tourism players have already raised the matter with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
“We spoke to the Chief Minister, and he assured us that he will discuss the matter with the Prime Minister in Delhi. We are also going to meet Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and request him to ensure alternative arrangements,” he said.
Chaya said stakeholders want Awantipora airport to be explored as a temporary alternative for civilian flight operations during the closure period. “Till the maintenance work is completed, Awantipora airport should be considered for civilian use. Besides that, more direct train services from Delhi and other major cities should be introduced to reduce inconvenience for tourists and locals,” he added.
President of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK), Rouf Tramboo, said the tourism industry is already witnessing concern among travellers over the proposed restrictions. “At present, we need an alternative airport because this is peak tourism time. A prolonged closure will create serious operational problems for tourists and travel operators,” he said.
Tramboo said travel agents are receiving constant queries from domestic and international clients regarding scheduled trips.
“We are getting calls from B2B operators and tourists asking what will happen to their travel plans and bookings. There is uncertainty among travellers, and that can affect tourist inflow if timely alternatives are not arranged,” he said.
Mukhtar Ahmad, a hotelier from Srinagar, said the Valley’s hospitality sector depends largely on uninterrupted air connectivity.
“Hotels and tourism businesses rely heavily on flight connectivity. Even a temporary disruption can impact bookings, occupancy and employment associated with tourism activities,” he said.
Gowhar, a houseboat owner at Dal Lake, said any disruption in flight services during the summer months would directly impact small tourism-dependent families.
“Most tourists prefer air travel to Kashmir. If flights are affected, houseboat bookings and tourism activities will also decline. Thousands of families linked with tourism may suffer financially,” he said.
Stakeholders urged the administration and the Civil Aviation Ministry to finalise contingency plans well in advance to minimise inconvenience to passengers and ensure that Kashmir’s tourism sector does not suffer during the crucial travel season—(KNO)