Srinagar, July 9 -- The suspension of the proposed closure of Srinagar's airport runway has brought a wave of relief across the Valley. For days, uncertainty had loomed over the tourism sector, with operators reporting cancellations and travellers expressing hesitation. The announcement that flights will continue uninterrupted on Mondays and Tuesdays has restored confidence at a time when Kashmir's economy leans heavily on seasonal visitors and pilgrimage traffic.

The decision is not merely about convenience; it is about safeguarding livelihoods. Tour operators had warned that the shutdown would have crippled their season. One remarked that the suspension was "not just relief, it's survival," capturing the scale of disruption that had be...