SRINAGAR: J&K CM Omar Abdullah met defence minister Rajnath Singh and Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu in Delhi on Friday and proposed using the Awantipora airbase as an alternative for civilian flights during Srinagar airport’s Oct closure for maintenance.Omar pointed out that the south Kashmir airbase was used as an alternative during similar closures of Srinagar airport in 1998 and 2010, as he emphasised the importance of maintaining air connectivity to the Valley during the peak tourism season. Omar also sought “the maintenance schedule be reviewed and, if feasible, shortened, phased, or shifted to a leaner travel window”.Omar said govt was working on possible alternatives to minimise disruption and maintain a basic flight schedule, as had been done in the past, following the meeting.AAI plans to suspend operations at Srinagar airport from Oct 1-16 for runway maintenance and other repairs. The Valley traditionally witnesses a massive influx of tourists from Bengal during Oct, when most schools and colleges are shut for Durga Puja festivities.
