Amid the escalating India-Pakistan tensions, particularly following the Indian Armed Forces' missile strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan’s Punjab province and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), flight operations have been suspended across 20 airports in northern and western India. The closure is expected to last until Saturday, May 10, 2025, as per a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

The suspension of airport operations began on Wednesday, May 7, after India launched Operation Sindoor, a military offensive targeting terrorist infrastructure located within Pakistan. The military action was carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. In light of the heightened security threat, the Indian government decided to close airspace over these regions as a precautionary measure.

Here is a full list of the airports closed till May 10:

• Leh

• Srinagar

• Jammu

• Amritsar

• Pathankot

• Chandigarh

• Jodhpur

• Jaisalmer

• Jamnagar

• Bhatinda

• Bhuj

• Dharamshala

• Shimla

• Rajkot

• Porbandar

• Bikaner

• Hindon

• Kishangarh

• Kandla

• Gwalior

Due to these airspace closures, various Indian airlines have been forced to adjust their flight schedules. IndiGo, Air India, and other domestic carriers have all canceled or rerouted flights to and from these affected airports.

IndiGo, India’s largest budget airline, has announced the cancellation of over 165 flights originating from airports like Amritsar, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Gwalior, Jammu, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, Leh, Rajkot, and Srinagar. These cancellations will remain in effect until 5:29 am IST on May 10, 2025. The airline has urged passengers to check the status of their flights online, offering free rescheduling or full refunds for affected bookings.

In a similar move, Air India has also canceled flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot until the same time on May 10. A one-time waiver on rescheduling fees or full refunds will be provided to affected passengers. Customers are encouraged to reach out to the airline's call center or visit the website for further assistance.

Additionally, Air India Express has announced full refunds or free rescheduling for flights to and from Amritsar, Gwalior, Jammu, Srinagar, and Hindon. The airline’s flights to and from these locations are suspended until 5:30 am IST on May 10, 2025.

Another carrier, SpiceJet, issued a statement highlighting the potential impacts on operations due to the ongoing airspace restrictions. Airports in northern India, such as Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar, will remain closed until further notice, with significant impacts on departures and arrivals. SpiceJet has advised its passengers to stay updated on the situation and prepare for possible delays or cancellations.

The closure of airspace and subsequent flight suspensions have caused significant disruption in the air travel schedule, particularly for those traveling in and out of India’s northern and western regions. Foreign airlines, including KLM and others, have also suspended overflights of Pakistani airspace, impacting routes between Europe and India. For example, KLM has reported that its Amsterdam to Delhi flight will be delayed by an hour, and the Amsterdam to Mumbai flight will see an extension of one hour and 15 minutes due to the airspace changes.

Passengers affected by these flight cancellations are urged to check the status of their flights with their respective airlines and make alternate arrangements if necessary. Many airlines are offering free rescheduling and full refunds to ensure that those who cannot travel due to these restrictions are not financially impacted.

This temporary shutdown of airports comes as part of India’s strategic security measures following the terror strikes and the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions. While the closure of airports is seen as a necessary precaution to safeguard public safety, it has also caused significant inconvenience for thousands of passengers, particularly those with international flights or urgent travel plans.

The situation is likely to remain fluid, and airlines, along with airport authorities, will continue to monitor the developments closely. Passengers are advised to stay informed through official airline channels or government notifications for further updates on flight operations and airspace restrictions.

In conclusion, the closure of airports and the cancellation of flights is a direct result of the rising India-Pakistan tensions, specifically following India’s military strikes on Pakistani territory. While the government’s priority is national security, passengers are advised to plan their travel accordingly, considering the ongoing airspace closures and flight disruptions. The situation remains under constant review, with airlines and authorities working to ensure passenger safety and minimize further inconvenience.

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