The announcement has raised concerns among traders, hoteliers, transporters and tour operators who depend heavily on air connectivity
A proposal to partially shut operations at Srinagar Airport for three months and completely close the runway for more than two weeks in October has triggered concern among Kashmir’s business and tourism sectors, which fear the move could disrupt travel, trade and the tourism season.According to an advisory issued by Srinagar Airport, the runway may remain unavailable every Monday and Tuesday from July 1 to September 30, 2026, as part of planned maintenance works by the Indian Air Force. The advisory also said a complete closure of runway operations has been proposed from October 1 to October 16, 2026.The announcement has raised concerns among traders, hoteliers, transporters and tour operators who depend heavily on air connectivity.“People are trying to escape the punishing heat in various Indian states and are increasingly choosing Kashmir as their destination. Any disruption in air connectivity will affect tourist arrivals and hit transporters, hoteliers, tour operators and other businesses dependent on tourism,” said Mohammad Imran, a transporter.Business groups said the proposed closure coincides with a period when tourist arrivals are expected to increase, affecting one of the region’s key economic sectors.The Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), an umbrella body representing trade and business organisations in the Valley, expressed concern over the proposed shutdown, particularly the planned closure during October.Tourism industry“October is one of the most important months for Kashmir’s tourism industry. Traditionally, thousands of tourists from West Bengal visit the Valley during the Durga Puja holidays,” said Qazi Touseef, spokesperson of the KEA.“For decades, this period has witnessed a substantial influx of tourists who contribute significantly to the local economy, including hotels, houseboats, transporters, handicrafts, restaurants and small businesses. A prolonged closure of Srinagar Airport during this peak travel period would severely impact tourist arrivals and cause substantial economic losses to thousands of families dependent on tourism and allied sectors”, Touseef said. Apart from tourism, Touseef said air connectivity was critical for medical emergencies, with many patients relying on flights to access specialised treatment outside Jammu and Kashmir.“In cases where patients require urgent treatment outside Jammu and Kashmir, air travel often becomes the only viable option. Any disruption in flight operations could create serious hardships for patients and their families during emergencies,” he said.The business body also warned that the proposed closure could affect air cargo operations.“Kashmir relies on air cargo for the transportation of high-value and perishable goods, including horticultural produce, handicrafts, pharmaceuticals and other essential consignments. Any interruption in cargo movement would have far-reaching economic consequences,” Touseef added.Published on June 8, 2026
