India has suspended operations at 27 airports from regions including Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. The closures are in response to escalating tensions with Pakistan following Operation Sindoor. The move is intended to protect sensitive airspace and avoid civilian casualties during potential air conflict or further retaliatory strikes.
Massive Flight Cancellations Hit India and Pakistan
The airspace shutdown has triggered the cancellation of over 430 flights across India on Thursday alone. Airlines in Pakistan cancelled 147 flights, accounting for 17 percent of their daily schedules. Platforms like Flightradar24 show nearly empty skies over the India-Pakistan border, from Kashmir down to Gujarat. International carriers have also rerouted or cancelled flights to avoid the affected corridor.
Airlines Issue Public Advisories and Waivers
Airlines have taken swift action to manage passenger fallout:
- IndiGo has suspended flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Dharamshala. A full waiver is being offered on change and cancellation fees for travel to or from Srinagar until May 22.
- Air India has cancelled all flights to and from cities like Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, and Rajkot until May 7. International flights bound for Amritsar have been redirected to Delhi.
- SpiceJet has suspended services to several northern airports, warning of delays in connecting flights as well.
- Akasa Air has advised passengers to monitor flight statuses, especially for northern routes like Chandigarh and Srinagar.
Ripple Effects Across Indian Aviation
Though some airports like Delhi remain partially functional, over 140 flights were cancelled even there. The widespread airport closures and restrictions have created a cascading effect across India’s aviation sector, leading to longer travel times, crowded alternate routes, and mounting frustration among travellers. More updates are expected as the situation unfolds.
