Srinagar International Airport cancelled three Delhi-bound flights on 19 January after Delhi’s airspace was temporarily shut between 10:20 and 12:45 IST for Republic-Day fly-past rehearsals. The Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) affects non-scheduled movements until 25 January, with further restrictions planned for the 26th parade.(asianmail.in)
While the closures are routine, this year they coincide with peak winter-tourism traffic to Kashmir. Hoteliers reported dozens of last-minute itinerary changes as passengers scrambled to rebook via evening departures.
Airlines have waived change fees but offered limited reaccommodation options because narrow-body utilisation is stretched during the busy season. Business travellers shuttling between Srinagar and Delhi—particularly government contractors and hydro-power consultants—face missed same-day connections onward to Bengaluru and Mumbai.
![Delhi airspace closure for Republic-Day rehearsal cancels Srinagar sectors]()
If those changes force you to add a stopover or reroute through another country, VisaHQ can accelerate any extra visa or travel-authorisation paperwork you might suddenly need. Their India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) provides real-time consular requirements, quick online applications and courier support, helping disrupted passengers keep projects on schedule despite shifting flight plans.
Aviation analysts say India remains one of the few large markets still using complete airspace blocks for ceremonial rehearsals; most countries employ time-based flow-controls that allow limited civil operations. Industry groups have urged the Ministry of Defence and DGCA to adopt similar risk-based models to minimise economic impact.
Until reforms materialise, corporates should anticipate annual mid-January disruption on North-South routes and build contingency days into project timelines.
While the closures are routine, this year they coincide with peak winter-tourism traffic to Kashmir. Hoteliers reported dozens of last-minute itinerary changes as passengers scrambled to rebook via evening departures.
Airlines have waived change fees but offered limited reaccommodation options because narrow-body utilisation is stretched during the busy season. Business travellers shuttling between Srinagar and Delhi—particularly government contractors and hydro-power consultants—face missed same-day connections onward to Bengaluru and Mumbai.
If those changes force you to add a stopover or reroute through another country, VisaHQ can accelerate any extra visa or travel-authorisation paperwork you might suddenly need. Their India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) provides real-time consular requirements, quick online applications and courier support, helping disrupted passengers keep projects on schedule despite shifting flight plans.
Aviation analysts say India remains one of the few large markets still using complete airspace blocks for ceremonial rehearsals; most countries employ time-based flow-controls that allow limited civil operations. Industry groups have urged the Ministry of Defence and DGCA to adopt similar risk-based models to minimise economic impact.
Until reforms materialise, corporates should anticipate annual mid-January disruption on North-South routes and build contingency days into project timelines.
