Skardu Airport’s Secondary Runway Closed for 13 Days for Construction
The Skardu Airport runway closed notice affects the airport’s secondary strip, runway 14L, which will remain shut for 13 days because of construction work on both sides of the runway.
According to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), the closure runs from October 20 to November 3. The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PAA) has issued a fresh advisory to all aircraft captains operating to and from the airport.
Emergency access still possible
The runway can be made available within an hour in an emergency, provided the crew coordinates with air traffic control. The provision ensures that urgent medical or operational flights are not left without an option during the construction window.
Skardu International Airport serves as the main air gateway to Baltistan, handling scheduled passenger flights as well as tourist traffic bound for some of Pakistan’s most visited mountain destinations.
What travellers should know about the Skardu Airport runway closed period
The closure applies only to the secondary runway, 14L. Airlines and charter operators will plan their Skardu operations around the primary runway during the 13-day period.
Passengers booked on Skardu flights between October 20 and November 3 should check with their airline for any schedule adjustments. Construction-related closures are routine at mountain airports, where short weather windows limit when maintenance can be carried out.
Skardu sits at the heart of Gilgit-Baltistan’s tourism circuit. Travellers heading to the historic Kharphocho Fort overlooking the town or the meadows of Khaplu valley typically route through the airport, as do visitors bound for Kharmang valley and Shigar’s Khanqah-e-Mualla.
A busy season for northern air routes
The timing falls in the post-monsoon travel season, when northern areas draw steady visitor numbers before winter sets in. Airport officials routinely schedule construction for periods when traffic can be managed on a single runway.
Secondary runways typically handle overflow traffic and provide an alternative when wind conditions favour a different alignment. With 14L out of service, all movements will use the primary strip, which is standard practice during planned maintenance at regional airports.
The PAA advisory asks captains to factor the closure into flight planning and to coordinate early with air traffic control if an emergency opening is required. Similar short-notice works have been carried out at northern airports in past seasons without suspending scheduled services.
Frequently asked questions
Which Skardu runway is closed?
The secondary runway, designated 14L, at Skardu International Airport is closed. The closure does not affect the airport’s primary runway operations.
How long will the Skardu Airport runway stay closed?
The secondary runway will remain closed for 13 days, from October 20 to November 3, 2026, while construction work continues on both sides of the strip.
Can flights still operate to Skardu?
Yes. The NOTAM concerns the secondary runway only. The runway can also be reopened within an hour in an emergency if the crew coordinates with air traffic control.
Who issued the closure notice?
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority issued the NOTAM and an advisory to all aircraft captains.
