India closes 16 airports amidst a possible airstrike from Pakistan.
India, fearing a fierce response from Pakistan after its attacks on civilian targets, has led to widespread flight cancellations at 16 airports in northern India, impacting travel to sensitive border states.
This came as a precautionary measure after Indian forces launched airstrikes at nine locations across Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 31 civilians on 7 May.
Flight operations to Dharamshala, Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Bhuj, and Amritsar have been disrupted, with major carriers—including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Air India Express—issuing advisories and canceling flights amid heightened security concerns.
Air India has extended its flight cancellations following new directives from aviation authorities. Flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot will remain suspended till 05:29 IST on 10 May, the airline said in an updated advisory.
“We are offering a full refund or free rescheduling for our flights to and from Amritsar, Gwalior, Jammu, Srinagar, and Hindon until 05:30hrs on 10th May 2025,” the airline said.
This follows an official notification regarding the continued closure of airports in sensitive northern and western regions as part of heightened security protocols following India’s air strikes.
Tata Sons’ low-cost carrier Air India Express informed passengers that flights to and from Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, and Hindon have been affected.
IndiGo operates between 16 and 25 daily flights, Air India operates around 25 daily flights, and SpiceJet operates between 20 and 23 daily flights to the affected airports. IndiGo alone has cancelled over 165 flights in light of the airspace restrictions.
Budget carrier SpiceJet has also informed passengers about disruptions in flights to Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, andr, which are closed until further notice.
Queries sent to the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation on the overall impact on operations have yet to elicit a response.
On Tuesday, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued a NOTAM regarding an air exercise by the Indian air force. The NOTAM is applicable for May 7 and 8 in Rajasthan and other areas close to the international border with Pakistan.
Following the airstrikes, civil flight operations have been suspended with immediate effect at several key airports in North and West India.
The full list of affected airports includes: Leh, Thois, Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Pathankot, Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Jamnagar, Bhatinda, Bhuj, Dharamshala, Shimla, Rajkot, and Porbandar.
Most of these are located in proximity to the international border with Pakistan, underscoring the elevated security alert in the region.
