If you are planning to travel by air in the coming months, it is important to check the status of your flight in advance. The reason is that due to runway repairs this year, flight services at Jodhpur Airport, Srinagar Airport, Pune Airport and Adampur Air Base are going to be temporarily affected. According to news18, this closure is part of a phased runway recuperation plan at airports operated by the Indian Air Force. These airports are used for both civil and military defense, so it is important to maintain the runways to high technical standards.
Some slots have already been issued NOTAMs (notices to air missions) for closure, while airlines were informed months in advance through the government’s slot coordination process, an official said.
First impact on Jodhpur airport
Flight operations at Jodhpur Airport will be completely closed for about a month from March 29 to April 27. IndiGo, Air India and Air India Express have already stopped booking after March 28, due to which its wider impact can be estimated.
Phased closure in Srinagar
Flights at Srinagar Airport will be affected every weekend from August to mid-October. After this, the airport will remain completely closed from 16 October to 5 November.
Pune and Adampur will also be affected
Runway repair is also planned at Pune Airport, although its dates are yet to be officially announced. At the same time, Adampur Air Base is likely to remain closed for about 8 months till the end of the year, which will be the longest period.
Why is this closure necessary?
The importance of these airports is very high, especially due to their location in border areas. Here it is necessary to keep the runway suitable for fighter jets and other defense flights, hence periodic maintenance is necessary. During this time, passengers may face fewer flights, changes in routes and possible delays. In such a situation, check the status of your flight before travelling, so that any inconvenience can be avoided.