Srinagar, May 13: After days of tension and grounded silence, the hum of jet engines returned to the skies above Srinagar on Tuesday, bringing a long-awaited sense of normalcy and hope for residents and travelers alike.
Flight operations at Srinagar Airport, which had been suspended amid heightened security concerns, officially resumed this afternoon. The move follows a significant development in regional diplomacy—India and Pakistan agreeing to a ceasefire, easing anxieties that had cast a shadow over daily life in Kashmir.
“It’s a big relief,” said an airport official, who confirmed the first flight—an Air India service from Delhi—landed safely at 12:49 PM. “We’ve been working tirelessly behind the scenes, waiting for this day. It feels good to see passengers smiling again.”
The suspension of flights came in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, a strong military response by India targeting terror camps in Pakistan following the devastating April 22 attack in Pahalgam. As tensions rose, normal life was disrupted, and the usually busy airport wore an eerie silence for several days.
Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Civil Aviation had announced that flight services at 32 airports across the country, including Srinagar, would resume—signaling a broader return to stability.
For many Kashmiris, the first flight’s touchdown was more than just a logistical update; it was a powerful symbol. A symbol that peace, however fragile, still has a chance to take flight.
“Today, we’re not just witnessing a flight landing—we’re witnessing the possibility of a new beginning,” shared a local passenger, holding back tears after reuniting with his daughter arriving from Delhi.
