India Temporarily Shuts 32 Airports, Reroutes Flights Amid Rising Border Tensions

Civil flight operations suspended across northern and western India till May 14; armed drones spotted near border regions escalate aviation precautions

New Delhi [India], May 10: In a significant move reflecting rising regional tensions, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other aviation bodies have announced the temporary suspension of civil flight operations at 32 airports across northern and western India. The closure, issued through a series of NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen), is effective from May 9 to May 14, 2025 (0529 IST on May 15), and is attributed to “operational reasons.”

The affected airports include:

Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu-Manali (Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise, and Uttarlai.

A senior Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) official confirmed that all civil aviation operations at these airports will remain suspended throughout the notification period.

In addition, the AAI has temporarily closed 25 Air Traffic Service (ATS) route segments in the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions (FIRs). These routes will remain unavailable from ground level to unlimited altitude until 2359 UTC on May 14 (0529 IST on May 15), according to NOTAM G0555/25.

Flight operators and airlines have been advised to reroute flights in coordination with Air Traffic Control (ATC) units to ensure safety and minimize passenger disruption.

Security Context

The decision comes in the wake of heightened military tensions with Pakistan, following India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). In retaliation, Pakistan has attempted to escalate the situation by deploying drones and missiles along the LoC and International Border.

On Friday, drones were spotted at 26 locations, including Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet, and Lakhi Nala. These drones are suspected to be armed and aimed at civilian or military targets, prompting a heightened air defence posture by Indian forces.

Authorities are maintaining close surveillance across the airspace, with the Indian Armed Forces and aviation agencies working in tandem to ensure public safety and national security.