Srinagar, June 13 -- Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Friday met Union defence minister Rajnath Singh and Union civil aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu in New Delhi to raise concerns over the proposed closure of Srinagar international airport from October 1 to 16. The 16-day shutdown is scheduled under Phase 3 of the airport's runway resurfacing project. During the meetings, the chief minister underscored the importance of maintaining uninterrupted air connectivity to the region, particularly during the peak autumn tourism season, while acknowledging that the resurfacing work is essential for operational safety and fully respecting the Indian Air Force's (IAF) operational assessment. A J&K government spokesman said that the chief minister informed the Union ministers that air services to the Valley have already faced curtailments since April due to earlier phases of the resurfacing programme. "The CM conveyed that a complete suspension of flights during the first half of October would adversely affect tourism, hospitality, transport, handicrafts, and allied sectors that sustain thousands of livelihoods across Jammu and Kashmir," the spokesman said. In his meeting with the defence minister, Abdullah requested that the IAF examine whether the final stage of the runway works could be shortened or further phased without compromising safety or operational standards. If a complete closure of Srinagar airport proves unavoidable, Abdullah requested that minimal civil flight operations be permitted from the Awantipora air base to maintain essential connectivity. During his meeting with Naidu, the CM sought the intervention to facilitate discussions with the ministry of defence to review the timing of Phase 3. He also urged that contingency arrangements be mapped out in coordination with the defence ministry and the IAF well in advance....