Temporary closure of four major Indian airports likely to disrupt flight operations

Srinagar Airport along with 3 others will shut down temporarily for repair work. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

IBNS-CMEDIA: Civil flight operations at four key airports in India are set to be temporarily disrupted this year as the Indian Air Force undertakes scheduled runway repair and re-carpeting work.

The affected airports—Jodhpur Airport, Srinagar Airport, Pune Airport, and Adampur Air Force Station—serve both civil and military operations, making periodic maintenance essential to meet stringent operational requirements.

According to officials, the recarpeting work will be carried out in phases starting later this month, with Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) already issued for some closures. Airlines were also informed in advance through the government’s slot coordination process.

Jodhpur airport will be the first to undergo maintenance, with flight services suspended from March 29 to April 27.

Airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express have already halted bookings for flights operating beyond March 28.

Srinagar airport will initially experience partial disruptions, remaining closed on weekends between August and mid-October.

This will be followed by a complete shutdown for 21 days, from October 16 to November 5.

In Pune, flight operations are also expected to be affected later this year, though the exact maintenance schedule has not yet been announced.

Meanwhile, Adampur air base in Punjab is likely to undergo extensive runway work after November, with a potential closure period of up to eight months.

Officials noted that such maintenance is critical, particularly as these airports handle fighter jets and other military aircraft that require higher technical standards.

Their strategic locations, especially those near India’s western borders, further underscore the importance of keeping runway infrastructure in optimal condition.

Passengers planning travel through these airports have been advised to check flight schedules in advance, as temporary disruptions and rescheduling are expected during the maintenance periods.