The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen), stating that the runway will remain closed for 8 hours daily from April 1 to September 27, 2026.
If Amritsar is in your flight plan—whether you’re flying the aircraft or booking a seat—take note. From tomorrow, the airport’s runway goes offline for eight hours every single day.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued a NOTAM closing Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport from 1:45 PM to 9:45 PM daily, starting April 1, 2026, through September 27, 2026.
No flights in or out during that window. Everything has been rescheduled.
Here’s what’s happening, why, and how it affects you.
The Basics
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Airport | Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar (ATQ) |
| Closure Period | April 1 – September 27, 2026 (6 months) |
| Daily Closure Hours | 1:45 PM to 9:45 PM (8 hours) |
| Reason | Runway re-carpeting, safety upgrades, LED lighting installation |
| Flights Affected | 62 total (40 domestic + 22 international) |
Why the Runway Is Closing
This isn’t a surprise shutdown—it’s a planned upgrade. The work includes:
Runway re-carpeting: The 3,658-meter runway gets two new 50mm layers to handle large aircraft safely.
Overrun area repairs: Strengthening the end of the runway for safer emergency operations.
RESA development: Runway End Safety Areas at both ends (runways 16 and 34) upgraded to international standards.
LED lighting: Over 2,000 non-LED lights replaced with modern LEDs.
ILCMS installation: New Individual Light Control Monitoring System for remote control room monitoring.
When it reopens in September, Amritsar will have a safer, more efficient runway.
What This Means for Pilots & Crew
1. Roster changes are locked in.
Airlines have already adjusted schedules. Expect early morning departures and late-night arrivals (after 9:45 PM). No midday operations at ATQ.
2. Duty hours shift.
For crew based in Amritsar or operating through it:
Longer ground time if you arrive before 1:45 PM and depart after 9:45 PM
More night flying
Potential layover adjustments
3. Alternate airports matter.
If delays push a flight into the closure window, diversions to Chandigarh (CHD) or Jammu (IXJ) become likely. Brief your alternates.
What Passengers Need to Know
1. Check your flight time—again.
If your booking originally showed a departure between 1:45 PM and 9:45 PM, it has been moved. Most flights now operate early morning or late night.
2. 62 flights affected in the summer schedule.
| Domestic (40) | International (22) |
|---|---|
| Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Kullu, Srinagar, Pune | Doha, Dubai, Singapore, Birmingham, London Gatwick, Kuala Lumpur, Sharjah, Bangkok |
3. Arrive early.
With all operations compressed into morning and late-night windows, security and check-in counters will be busier.
Airlines Operating at Amritsar
Regular carriers at ATQ include:
Air India (domestic + international to Birmingham, London Gatwick)
IndiGo (domestic + Dubai, Sharjah, Bangkok)
SpiceJet (domestic + Dubai)
Akasa Air (domestic)
Qatar Airways (Doha)
Singapore Airlines (Singapore)
Malaysia Airlines (Kuala Lumpur)
Air India Express (Dubai, Sharjah)
All have adjusted schedules. Confirm directly with your airline.
The Aviators360 Take
Runway closures are routine in aviation—but an 8-hour daily shutdown for six months is significant.
For pilots: Stay on top of NOTAMs. Amritsar is a key international airport. Brief alternates, recalculate duty hours, and expect schedule shifts.
For passengers: Book morning flights if you want to minimize delays. Late-night departures are the norm for afternoon travel.
For aspirants: Watch how airlines adjust their networks around infrastructure constraints—it’s a real-world lesson in operational planning.
The upside? By October, Amritsar will have a fully upgraded runway, better lighting, and improved safety margins. Worth the temporary hassle.
Blue skies—just not between 1:45 PM and 9:45 PM at ATQ.
— Ashutosh Bansal
Founder, Aviators360