Runway overhaul work at Jodhpur, Srinagar, Pune, and Adampur Air Base will disrupt air travel across the country. Jodhpur closes first — in just eight days.
Jodhpur | Rajasthan | Fully closed | Mar 29 – Apr 27
Srinagar | J&K | Weekend closures | From Aug 2026
Pune | Maharashtra | Dates awaited | TBC
Adampur | Punjab | ~8 months closure | After November
In a development that will significantly affect air travellers across India, four airports operated on Indian Air Force bases are set to go offline for varying periods in 2026. The closures, driven by long-overdue runway resurfacing and structural upgrades, will affect major routes and leave hundreds of thousands of passengers scrambling for alternatives.
The most immediately pressing is Jodhpur Airport in Rajasthan, which will shut down completely on March 29 — just eight days from now — for a full month. Airlines including IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express have already suspended bookings on Jodhpur routes beyond March 28, leaving many travellers with little time to rebook.
“These are not ordinary civil airports — they serve dual military and civilian roles, demanding runway standards capable of handling fighter aircraft.”
Punjab faces the longest disruption
Of all four airports, Adampur Air Base in Punjab is set to experience the most disruptive closure. Work is expected to begin after November 2026 and could last up to eight months, leaving travellers in the Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur belt without direct air access for most of 2027. The base handles both civilian and military operations, and the runway must be rebuilt to defence-grade specifications — a process that cannot be rushed.
Passengers affected by the Adampur closure are advised to use Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport or Chandigarh International Airport as alternative departure points during the shutdown period.
Srinagar and Pune also in the queue
Srinagar Airport, situated in a strategically sensitive region near the Line of Control, is expected to face weekend closures beginning around August. While this is less severe than a full shutdown, it will affect Friday and weekend travel — typically the busiest periods for leisure and pilgrimage traffic to the valley.
Pune Airport, another IAF-run civilian hub, will also undergo runway recarpeting, though exact dates have not yet been finalised. Airlines and travel agents in the city are monitoring the situation closely ahead of an official announcement.
What travellers should do now
- Jodhpur travellers: Rebook immediately — closure begins March 29.
- Pune travellers: Watch airline websites for schedule changes; alternate via Mumbai or Nashik.
- Srinagar travellers: Avoid Friday/weekend routing from August onwards.
- Adampur/Punjab travellers: Plan alternate routes via Amritsar or Chandigarh from late 2026.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India are yet to issue a formal advisory consolidating all four closures. Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) have been issued for the Jodhpur shutdown, and travellers are urged to check their bookings immediately.
Leave a Reply