Airports Closed in India Amid Escalating India-Pakistan Tensions: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction
In early May 2025, escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, following India's military operation "Operation Sindoor," led to significant disruptions in air travel across the region. As a precautionary measure, the Indian government temporarily closed 27 airports across northern, western, and central India, resulting in widespread flight cancellations and rerouting.
Background: Operation Sindoor and Its Implications
On May 7, 2025, India launched "Operation Sindoor," targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was in retaliation for a deadly militant attack in Kashmir that claimed 26 Indian lives. In response, Pakistan vowed retaliation, leading to heightened military activities along the border.
The escalating conflict prompted the Indian government to take precautionary measures to safeguard its airspace and critical infrastructure, leading to the temporary closure of several airports.
List of Closed Airports
The following table provides a comprehensive list of the 27 airports that were temporarily closed:
| Region | Airports Closed |
|---|---|
| Jammu & Kashmir | Srinagar, Jammu, Leh |
| Punjab | Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda, Halwara, Pathankot |
| Himachal Pradesh | Shimla, Gaggal, Bhuntar, Dharamshala |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| Rajasthan | Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kishangarh |
| Gujarat | Mundra, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Kandla, Keshod, Bhuj |
| Madhya Pradesh | Gwalior |
| Uttar Pradesh | Hindon |
These closures were effective until May 10, 2025, with operations expected to resume post-assessment of the security situation.
Impact on Air Travel
The closure of these airports had a cascading effect on both domestic and international air travel:
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Flight Cancellations: Indian carriers, including IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, canceled over 430 flights, accounting for approximately 3% of the country's total scheduled flights.
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International Disruptions: Several international flights were rerouted to avoid the conflict zone, leading to longer flight durations and increased operational costs.
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Passenger Advisory: Airlines issued advisories urging passengers to check flight statuses and offered options for rescheduling or refunds.
Airline Responses
Airlines took proactive measures to mitigate the impact on passengers:
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IndiGo: Canceled multiple flights and provided options for rescheduling without additional charges.
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Air India & Air India Express: Offered full refunds and one-time waivers for rescheduling flights up to June 30, 2025, especially for defense personnel.
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SpiceJet: Suspended flights to and from affected regions until further notice.
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Akasa Air: Suspended all flights to and from Srinagar until May 9, 2025, with provisions for full refunds and rescheduling within seven days of the original travel date.
International Reactions and Travel Advisories
The international community responded with caution:
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United Kingdom: Updated its travel advice, urging nationals to avoid all travel within 10km of the India-Pakistan border and to Jammu and Kashmir (excluding specific areas accessible by air).
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Australia: Issued a high-degree caution advisory for India, particularly avoiding Kashmir, the India-Pakistan border, and parts of northeastern and central India.
Conclusion
The temporary closure of 27 airports across India underscores the profound impact geopolitical tensions can have on civil aviation. While these measures were taken to ensure national security, they also highlight the need for robust contingency planning in the aviation sector. As the situation evolves, continuous monitoring and clear communication between authorities, airlines, and passengers remain paramount.
