Srinagar Airport upgrade from April 6 may impact tourist arrivals.

Flights at Srinagar Airport will operate only between 8 am and 5 pm starting April 6, as the Indian Air Force undertakes runway upgradation work, which may continue through the summer months into autumn. Officials warned that the limited operating hours could disrupt travel and impact tourist arrivals in the Valley.

Despite the restrictions, the airport plans to operate over 30 flights daily within the stipulated window, with the possibility of increasing to 34 flights depending on passenger demand during peak summer season. “Air Force is doing the runway upgradation, which is a process that happens after every 10 to 15 years. From April 6, flights will operate between 8 am and 5 pm. The number of flights can increase to 34 as per the increase in passenger flow in summers,” Javed Anjam told ET.

Anjam added that there are currently no plans for a complete airport closure for two weeks in October-November related to the upgrade. “We will have a good riding surface after the strengthening of the runway,” he said. On March 24, 30 flights arrived at Srinagar Airport, bringing the total daily operations to 60.

Tourism stakeholders have expressed concern over the potential disruption. During the peak tourist season in May 2024, the airport handled over 100 flights in a single day, but the tourism industry suffered heavily after the Pahalgam attack in April 2025.

“Reducing the frequency of flights and absence of early morning and late evening flights will definitely cause distress among travellers. With low frequency, airfares also increase significantly, which discourages tourists,” said Sajad Kralyari. The restricted flight schedule is expected to affect both leisure tourists and weekend corporate meetings, a key contributor to the local tourism economy.