Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Dec 24 : Reflecting both strength and bounce-back ability, Srinagar International Airport handled 35.26 lakh passengers and 21,576 flight movements between January and December 21, 2025, officials said here.
The year was marked by tourism peaks, weather challenges, and temporary route suspensions following the Pahalgam attack.
Official data, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), reveals a clear month-wise pattern: steady growth till April, a sharp decline in May and June, followed by a gradual recovery towards year-end.
*Month-wise Air Traffic Summary (2025):*
January: 1,966 total flight movements, 175,352 arrival passengers and 171,688 departure passengers, total 347,040 passengers, making it a steady winter operation.
February: 1,894 movements, 173,180 departures, 161,084 arrivals, total 334,264 passengers, making a stable flow.
March: 2,220 movements, 200,546 arrivals, 181,013 departures, total 381,559 passengers, making an early spring rise.
April: 2,872 movements, 224,056 arrivals, 245,846 departures, total 469,902 passengers, making it the peak tourism month.
May: 1,160 movements, 88,131 arrivals, 77,732 departures, total 165,863 passengers. The post-Pahalgam dip begins.
June – 1,492 movements, 129,896 arrivals, 111,410 departures, total 241,305 passengers, the month of which continued the slowdown.
July – 1,992 movements, 152,281 arrivals, 149,103 departures, total 301,384 passengers. Gradual recovery signs show up.
August: 1,776 movements, 127,310 arrivals, 134,252 departures, total 261,562 passengers. Operations stabilize.
September: 1,646 movements, 138,941 arrivals, 137,004 departures, total 275,945 passengers. Consistent traffic.
October: 1,818 movements, 141,067 arrivals, 148,244 departures, total 289,311 passengers. Steady pre-winter flow.
November: 1,698 movements, 135,584 arrivals, 147,979 departures, total 283,563 passengers. Near-normal traffic.
December 01-21: 1,042 movements, 86,982 arrivals, 87,724 departures, total 174,706 passengers. Reduced winter operations.
*Before and After Pahalgam: A Shift in Air Traffic:*
Data shows that until the attack in May, Srinagar Airport maintained full connectivity, including routes to Dehradun and Lucknow. Post-attack, these sectors were temporarily suspended, causing a notable decline in passenger footfall.
In April, the airport handled nearly 4.7 lakh passengers, the year’s highest. However, by May, the count dropped by over 64 per cent, to 1.65 lakh, showing the immediate operational impact.
By July, traffic rebounded past 3 lakh, indicating a quick recovery through resumed tourism and steady domestic travel across routes like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Amritsar.
“Operations remained largely stable through the year except for a temporary lull after the Pahalgam incident,” an airport official told KNO, adding that airlines, CISF and ATC teams ensured smooth functioning despite the high-altitude weather and operational stress.
*Performance overview*
From January to December 21, the airport recorded 10,784 arrivals and 10,792 departures, reflecting balanced operations. Passenger arrivals stood at 17,73,325 lakh, while departures reached 17,15,079 lakh. Overall, the airport handled 35.26 lakh passengers in 2025.
Officials further said that ongoing modernisation, including terminal upgrades and digital systems, will enhance capacity in 2026.
Srinagar Airport continues to serve as a vital link for tourism, pilgrimage and trade, anchoring Kashmir’s aviation network despite periodic turbulence—(KNO)
