• Source:JND

Four civil airports operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF), including Jodhpur, Srinagar, Pune and Adampur, are set to undergo temporary shutdowns at different times this year due to scheduled runway repair and maintenance work. These closures, part of a phased recarpeting plan, are likely to disrupt civil flight operations for a limited period.

Services At Jodhpur Airport To Remain Suspended From March 29

According to a report by Hindustan Times, the first major disruption begins with Jodhpur Airport, where services will be suspended for nearly a month from March 29 to April 27. Several airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express, have already stopped bookings for flights beyond March 28, highlighting the scale of the impact.

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Srinagar Airport To Face Staggered Disruptions

Srinagar Airport is set to experience staggered disruptions later this year. According to the report, the airport is likely to remain closed on weekends from August to mid-October, followed by a complete shutdown from October 16 to November 5.

This will be followed by a 21-day complete airport closure from 16 October to 5 November," HT quoted an official as saying.

Pune And Adampur Airport Next

Pune Airport is also scheduled to undergo runway renovation later this year. However, the exact schedule is yet to be confirmed. Travellers are expected to face temporary disruptions once the dates are finalised.

Adampur Air Base in Punjab is set for one of the longest closures among the four airports. According to reports, the airport may be shut for up to eight months, likely towards the end of the year.

"The airport is expected to be shut for eight months. This will, however, take place in one of the last two months," the official added.

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What's Behind The Shutdown?

Unlike regular civil airports, these four hubs are jointly used for military operations, requiring runways capable of handling fighter jets and other defence aircraft. As a result, regular maintenance is essential.

Their strategic locations, especially those located near sensitive border areas, add further urgency to these upgrades.

"Authorities have already issued NOTAMs (Notice to Air Missions) for some of the closures, while airlines were informed months in advance through the government's slot coordination process," the official added.


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