About 25 airports in India, mostly in the northern region , have been closed for regular passenger flights after India carried out strikes on terrorist bases in Pakistan early Wednesday.
These airports are expected to stay closed for commercial flights until around 5:30 AM on Saturday, May 10. Indian airlines have cancelled all flights to these airports at least until then.
However, these airports will still be used for military and defence flights during this time.
The disruptions happened because flights to North India were temporarily stopped at some airports as part of increased national security under Operation Sindoor, said officials.
In a statement, the airline said, “Due to government notification on airspace restrictions, over 165 IndiGo flights from multiple airports (Amritsar, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Gwalior, Jammu, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, Leh, Rajkot, and Srinagar) are cancelled until 5:30 AM. IST of 10 May, 2025. Customers are encouraged to check their flight status on our website or mobile app before heading to the airport.”
Communication to Affected Passengers
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) in Pune explained that they had informed all affected passengers in advance.
The statement said, “We have contacted all affected passengers through different methods like airline partners, announcements, and digital platforms. Passengers were assisted according to DGCA guidelines.”
Refunds and Alternate Travel Arrangements Offered
Airlines provide full refunds or alternate travel options to passengers who were impacted by the cancellations. Airport staff also helped passengers at the airport. However, many passengers faced delays and problems, especially those who had urgent plans to attend to.
Passengers Share Their Experience
Anita Verma, a 54-year-old woman from Pune who was supposed to fly to Amritsar, said, “I received a message about the cancellation around two hours before my flight. There were no earlier alerts, and I had already reached the airport by then. The airline staff was helpful, but it doesn’t make up for the emotional toll. There was a family emergency, so I had to rush to Amritsar.”
Pune Airport Director, Santosh Dhoke, said, ‘Pune airport remains committed to providing a smooth and safe travel experience for all passengers. We are fully prepared to assist anyone who continues to experience inconvenience due to recent development. Passengers are encouraged to reach out to their respective airlines for any further assistance.”
Pakistan Halts Flights at Karachi, Sialkot & Lahore Airports Temporarily
Amid the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has temporarily suspended flight operations at airports in Karachi, Lahore, and Sialkot, Aaj News reported.
