Sonali Tiwary
India has shut down 32 airports in its northern and western regions until May 15, 2025, as military tensions with Pakistan continue to rise. The shutdown, which affects major cities including Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Srinagar, comes after India’s recent military action codenamed “Operation Sindoor.”
Flight operations have been suspended until 5:29 AM on May 15. The closures follow India’s strikes against alleged terrorist camps in Pakistan, carried out in response to an attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, that killed 26 civilians.
Major airlines have already canceled hundreds of flights and issued travel notices.
- Air India has stopped all flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Bhuj, Jamnagar, and Rajkot until 5:29 AM on May 15. Passengers can get full refunds or reschedule once without extra fees.
- IndiGo has canceled services to Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Rajkot, Jodhpur, and Kishangarh.
- SpiceJet has also stopped flying to Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar until further notice.
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The Airport Authority of India has also shut down 25 air routes in the Delhi and Mumbai flight zones.
Security has tightened at all remaining open airports. New measures include extra passenger checks before boarding, no visitors allowed in terminal buildings, and increased police presence. Travelers are being told to arrive three hours early for their flights.
The current crisis began after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam. India launched Operation Sindoor in response, targeting locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, including the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed. India claims to have killed Abdul Rauf Azhar, a senior JeM leader. Pakistan has not confirmed this death.
Pakistan responded with its own military action, named “Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos.” The conflict has reportedly resulted in 31 Pakistani civilian deaths and other casualties along the Kashmir border.
World leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, and G7 nations have asked both countries to show restraint, concerned about preventing further escalation between these nuclear-armed neighbors.
For those planning travel in the region, checking flight status before heading to the airport is essential. The situation remains uncertain as authorities continue to monitor developments.
