India, July 4 -- Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday welcomed the Airports Authority of India's (AAI) decision to withdraw a proposed maintenance shutdown of the Srinagar International Airport runway, a move he described as a "huge relief" for the Valley's economy.

The decision came on Saturday morning when the Srinagar airport management announced on X that the previously issued notice to airmen (NOTAM) regarding full weekly closures has been officially rescinded, ensuring unhindered daytime flight operations on all days of the week. "Passengers are advised that there will be no full airfield closure at Srinagar airport this year. Airport operations will continue on all days with operational/watch hours from 8am t...