Flight services to halt at Chandigarh Airport for 12 days in October–November

Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Chandigarh will remain completely shut for flight operations from October 26 to November 7 this year. The closure, announced by officials on Thursday, is due to important repair and maintenance work on the runway. The timing, however, has raised concerns as it falls right in the middle of the busy festival season, when thousands of passengers travel daily.

According to the official notice, the closure will start at 1 am on October 26 and continue until 11:59 pm on November 7. During this period, no fixed-wing aircraft, such as commercial passenger planes, will be allowed to operate. Only rotary-wing aircraft, such as helicopters, may be allowed to take off and land, but even those will require prior clearance from the Indian Air Force (IAF), which manages the airfield.

Runway work to ground all fixed-wing aircraft

The airport authorities explained that the closure is necessary because of “polymer modified emulsion work” planned on the runway. This kind of specialised work is important for improving the strength, durability, and safety of the airstrip. Without it, regular operations could be risky.

While such maintenance is routine for airports, the length of the closure — 12 days — is unusual. Typically, runway repairs are scheduled in short blocks of hours during the night to avoid disruptions. In this case, however, the scale of the work appears to require a complete shutdown.

Officials stressed that helicopters would still be able to use the airport during the closure, provided they receive prior clearance. But this will not help the thousands of regular passengers who rely on daily commercial flights from Chandigarh.

Peak travel season to see major disruption

The timing of the closure has attracted strong attention because it overlaps with the peak festival season. Late October and early November cover important festivals such as Diwali, when families travel in large numbers and overall demand for flights increases sharply.

On an average day, more than 50 flights operate from Chandigarh airport, connecting the city with around 10,000 passengers daily. The airport currently offers direct flights to 21 destinations, including 19 within India and two international ones — Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

With such a large volume of travellers, the shutdown will force passengers to either cancel their trips or make alternative arrangements through airports in Delhi, Amritsar, or Jammu. This is expected to cause inconvenience, additional expenses, and overcrowding at neighbouring airports.

Travel industry experts say that the timing could also lead to higher airfares from other nearby airports, as airlines may try to cash in on the sudden shift in demand. Travel agents are already advising passengers to book early from alternative routes to avoid last-minute chaos.

Impact on connectivity and tourism

The Chandigarh airport plays a key role in providing connectivity to Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. It is especially important for tourists heading toward hill stations like Shimla, Kullu, and Manali, or toward Punjab’s cultural hubs like Amritsar.

The two-week closure could therefore have an impact not only on regular travellers but also on tourism in the region. Tour operators fear that visitors from abroad, particularly those flying in from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, may find the closure disruptive to their travel plans.

Local businesses dependent on tourist arrivals during the festival season are worried about losing customers. For many, Diwali and the weeks around it are considered peak business time.

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Government and airline response

While the MHA’s notice has explained the technical reasons for the closure, airlines and passengers are now waiting for clear guidance on how schedules will be adjusted. Airlines are expected to either cancel flights outright or reroute passengers through Delhi and other airports.

So far, there has been no detailed plan announced by the airlines regarding refunds or rescheduling, but industry sources suggest that passengers will be contacted soon with options. Many airlines may also try to increase capacity at nearby airports to handle the additional demand.

Travelers are advised to stay in touch with airlines directly and avoid last-minute bookings, which could become more expensive as the festival season approaches.

The decision to shut Chandigarh airport from October 26 to November 7 comes as a double-edged sword. On one hand, it is necessary for safety and long-term improvement of the runway. On the other hand, it will cause serious disruption for thousands of passengers during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

With more than 10,000 daily flyers and over 50 flights grounded, the ripple effects will spread across the region, affecting tourism, businesses, and family travel plans. For now, passengers have little choice but to plan ahead and seek alternative routes until the airport reopens on November 8.