4 Indian Airports To Shut Soon, Starting With Jodhpur On March 29. Check Full List

Four civil airports operated by the Indian Air Force are set to undergo temporary shutdowns due to scheduled runway repair and maintenance work. The runways at Jodhpur, Srinagar, Pune and Adampur will close at different times this year for recarpeting. These closures are expected to disrupt civil flight operations for a limited period.

The recarpeting work will be carried out in phases from the end of the month. "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," an official told the Hindustan Times.

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Starting with Jodhpur, services at the airport will remain suspended for nearly a month, from 29 March to 27 April. "The first phase of work was initially planned to begin on 1 March but has yet to commence. However, it will be ensured that the third phase wraps up by May," another official said. Airlines including IndiGo, Air India and Air India Express have already suspended bookings for flights after 28 March.

Since fighter jets and military aircraft have stricter technical requirements, regular maintenance is essential at such airports. Their proximity to the Pakistan border further adds to their strategic significance. All four airports are jointly used for civil and military operations, so their runway surfaces must meet the operational requirements of fighter jets and other military aircraft.

Srinagar airport will be closed on weekends from August through mid-October. "This will be followed by a 21-day complete airport closure from 16 October to 5 November," an official said.

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As for Pune, the airport is expected to face operational disruptions later this year, with the renovation schedule to be announced in due course. Adampur air base in Punjab will undergo runway adjustments after November. "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.