Amritsar: Ongoing tensions in West Asia, particularly the Iran-Israel conflict, coupled with runway maintenance work, have significantly disrupted flight operations at Sri Guru Ramdas Jee International Airport, leading to a sharp drop in international passenger traffic and mounting financial losses.
The impact has been most visible on Gulf routes, which form a major portion of Amritsar’s international connectivity. Flights to key destinations such as Dubai and Sharjah have either been suspended or reduced due to airspace restrictions and instability in the region. Earlier, the airport operated multiple daily direct flights to these cities through airlines like Air India Express, IndiGo and SpiceJet, catering to a large number of travellers from Punjab.
While Air India Express has partially restored its daily service to Sharjah, other routes remain affected. Direct flights to Dubai are still suspended, and IndiGo’s Sharjah operations have not resumed. Services to Doha, operated by Qatar Airways, have also been curtailed, now running only a limited number of flights each week.
The reduction in Gulf connectivity has had a ripple effect on passengers travelling to long-haul destinations such as Canada, the United States and Europe, as Doha serves as a key transit hub. With fewer connecting options, many passengers are now being forced to reroute through Delhi or other major airports, increasing travel time and inconvenience.
According to recent traffic data, international passenger numbers at Amritsar Airport fell sharply to around 48,000 in March 2026, compared to over 88,000 in February and more than 1.1 lakh in March last year. Domestic traffic also saw a decline compared to the previous year, although the drop was less severe. Overall passenger footfall in March stood significantly lower than both the previous month and the same period last year.
In addition to geopolitical factors, ongoing runway repair work has further strained operations. Since late March, the runway has been closed daily for several hours in the afternoon and evening, forcing airlines to reschedule flights. For instance, the Singapore service operated by Scoot has been shifted to morning hours, affecting onward international connections.
Passengers travelling on long-haul routes via Singapore and other hubs have reported disruptions, with some being rerouted through Delhi. Domestic flyers connecting to international flights are also facing longer layovers due to altered schedules.
The decline in international traffic has also impacted airport revenues. With user development fees charged per departing passenger, the sharp drop in footfall—especially among international travellers—has resulted in a substantial financial setback for airport authorities.
Annual data reflects the broader impact, with total passenger numbers for the financial year 2025–26 witnessing a noticeable dip compared to the previous year. Experts say the combined effect of geopolitical tensions and operational constraints has weakened Amritsar’s position as a key international gateway for Punjab.
Authorities are hopeful that flight operations will stabilize once regional tensions ease and runway work is completed, allowing the airport to gradually recover lost traffic.
