Amid escalating cross-border tensions after missile strikes by Indian armed forces on nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, 27 airports across northern, western, and central India have been closed for commercial flights. According to a media report, major airports such as Leh, Amritsar, and Jamnagar are among those affected.
The move has led to widespread disruption of air traffic, with over 430 flights cancelled by Indian carriers on Thursday (May 8) alone.
Delhi Airport issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) stating: “Due to changing airspace conditions, some flights have been impacted. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates and alternate travel arrangements.”
International travel has also been significantly impacted. At Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, four international and 131 domestic flights were cancelled on Wednesday (May 7). Airport officials reported that the affected international routes included flights to and from New York, Almaty, Toronto, and Montreal. Of the domestic cancellations, 66 were departures and 65 were arrivals. Flight tracking platform FlightRadar24 noted delays in over 300 flights, with an average delay of 14 minutes.
A total of 27 airports across northern, western, and central India remain closed for civilian operations until 5:29 AM on May 10 (Saturday). These include tourist and strategic locations such as Leh, Amritsar, Srinagar, Jammu, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Shimla, and key economic centers like Jamnagar, Rajkot, Bhuj, Jodhpur, and Bikaner. Additional affected airports include Jaisalmer, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda, Halwara, Pathankot, Bhuntar, Gaggal, Kishangarh, Mundra, Porbandar, Kandla, Keshod, Gwalior, and Hindon. Some airports handling only military charters are also closed.
IndiGo Airlines has cancelled all flights to and from the affected airports until May 10, while American Airlines has suspended its Delhi–New York service. Air India has also halted flights to and from Leh, Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, Rajkot, and Jodhpur for the same period. Air India confirmed that two international flights heading to Amritsar were diverted to Delhi. Civilian airspace over Pakistan and western India, particularly the corridor between Kashmir and Gujarat, has been cleared, and many foreign airlines are rerouting flights through Mumbai and Ahmedabad to avoid sensitive areas, as reported by FlightRadar24.
While many passengers faced delays and overnight disruptions, some airlines have arranged hotel accommodations and meals. Flight operations continue to be closely monitored, with further changes anticipated as the situation develops.
What is Operation Sindoor?
Operation Sindoor, launched by India on May 7, 2025, targeted terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in retaliation for the deadly terrorist attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22. The operation focused on infrastructure linked to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The strikes, carried out by the Indian Air Force using Rafale jets with SCALP missiles and AASM Hammer bombs, were described as non-escalatory, specifically avoiding Pakistani military facilities.
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