Heavy snowfall in the Kashmir Valley has led to widespread cancellation of flights to and from Srinagar International Airport, with adverse weather conditions forcing carriers to suspend both arrivals and departures on Tuesday. Blustery snowfall and poor visibility made runway operations unsafe, prompting airlines and airport authorities to halt services for the day and prioritise passenger safety.
The cancellation affected both inbound and outbound flights, with approximately fifty services called off across major domestic connections and regional operators. Runway conditions deteriorated quickly as snow continued to accumulate, and airport officials said operations will resume only once weather and runway conditions improve sufficiently for safe aircraft movements.
Hundreds of tourists and residents were left stranded in the Valley after weekend and Republic Day holiday travel plans were disrupted. Many had been scheduled to depart Srinagar for home or onward destinations when the cancellations were announced, leaving hotels, restaurants and airport lounges crowded with travellers awaiting updates. Visitor traffic in the region, normally heavy in the winter months due to snowfall tourism, suddenly faced logistical challenges as flight plans unraveled.
Airlines affected by the cancellations advised passengers to stay in close contact with their carriers for the latest flight status updates and alternate travel arrangements. Several carriers offered options to rebook flights on later dates or provided refunds, depending on individual ticketing terms and customer care policies. Passengers were also urged to allow extra time for travel to alternate airports or to make contingency plans in the interim.
The inclement weather also had broader impacts on travel infrastructure in and around Srinagar. The Srinagar-Jammu national highway, a vital road link for the region, was closed in sections due to heavy snow and slippery conditions, further limiting ground travel options for those seeking to leave the Valley by road. Local authorities issued advisories for motorists, warning of difficult driving conditions and urging travellers to avoid non-essential journeys until snow clearance operations advance.
Meteorological forecasts indicated that snowfall could continue in the coming days, raising the possibility of further flight disruptions and prompting authorities to maintain heightened vigilance. Snow and low temperatures are common in the region during this period, but the intensity and persistence of the current weather system amplified its impact on air and ground connectivity.
Airport officials emphasised that passenger safety remains the foremost priority, and that disruptive measures such as flight cancellations are taken only when conditions fall below established operational thresholds. Teams were deployed for snow clearance and runway inspections, and officials said they would work to restore normal operations as soon as it is safe to do so.
For now, travellers planning to fly into or out of Srinagar are expected to monitor conditions closely, maintain flexibility in their itineraries and stay in regular contact with airlines for updated flight information. Weather-related disruptions of this scale underscore the challenges of winter aviation in mountainous regions, where rapidly changing conditions can quickly affect connectivity and demand adaptive responses from carriers and airport authorities alike.
