Following India’s retaliatory strikes on terror camps in Pakistan, flight operations at 25 airports are suspended, impacting over 500 departures. Passengers are advised to stay alert, reschedule tickets, and stay in touch with airlines.
New Delhi | May 9, 2025 –
In the wake of Operation Sindoor, launched by Indian armed forces to neutralize terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has temporarily shut down flight operations at 25 airports across northern and western India till 5:29 am IST on May 10.
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The airports affected include:
- Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Shimla, Kullu, Dharamshala
- Bikaner, Jodhpur, Bhuj, Kishangarh, Gwalior, Kandla, Adampur
- Hindon, Bareilly, Jamnagar, and others with proximity to defense air routes or military bases.
This strategic move aims to:
- Clear airspace for military operations.
- Prevent intelligence leaks and civilian exposure near sensitive zones.
- Avoid inadvertent tracking of military assets through civilian aircraft activity.
🚫 Flight Impact: Over 500 Departures Cancelled
Data from Cirium, an aviation analytics platform, shows:
- 500+ departures and similar arrivals cancelled.
- Chandigarh Airport saw the most impact (123 departures), followed by Srinagar (99) and Amritsar (90).
- The most affected airlines are:
- IndiGo – 267 flights
- Air India – 102 flights
- Air India Express – 74 flights
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🧳 What Should Passengers Do?
✅ If You’re Booked to Fly Before May 10 Morning:
- Check with your airline immediately for flight status.
- Most airlines are offering free rescheduling and cancellation waivers.
- Explore alternative nearby airports (e.g., Delhi instead of Hindon, road access from Chandigarh).
- Make sure your contact information is updated with the airline for alerts.
🛑 If You’re Stuck in a Closed Airport City:
- Airlines are trying to accommodate passengers via open routes or special transport (e.g., buses to Delhi, trains from Pathankot).
- Do not attempt to travel to closed airports without confirmation.
🔄 Important Tips:
- Monitor official airline websites, SMS/email/WhatsApp alerts, and DGCA or airport advisories.
- Avoid relying on social media rumors or unverified reports.
- Track updates through reliable news sources as the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) can change dynamically.
🔁 Tail Note
As the situation on the border remains fluid, travel disruptions may continue or extend. While there is no advisory against general travel yet, passengers should remain cautious and flexible with their plans, understanding that military movement takes precedence in times of national security concerns.
🏷️ Tags:
Operation Sindoor, Airport Closures India, Pahalgam Attack Response, Flight Cancellations India, Indian Aviation News, Civil Aviation Disruption, IndiGo Flight Update, Air India Advisory, OperationSindoor,