27 Indian Airports Temporarily Closed Amid Escalating India-Pakistan Tensions

In response to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian government has temporarily closed 27 airports across the northern, western, and central regions of the country. This move follows India’s recent military operation, codenamed ‘Operation Sindoor,’ which targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for a deadly attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued two Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) on Wednesday, initiating the closures.The first NOTAM, released early in the morning, affected 18 airports, while a subsequent notice at 3:20 PM extended the shutdown to nine additional airports. These closures are set to remain in effect until 5:29 AM on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

List of Affected Airports:

1. Dharamshala

2. Hindon

3. Gwalior

4. Kishangarh

5. Srinagar

6. Amritsar

7. Patiala

8. Shimla

9. Gaggal

10. Jaisalmer

11. Jodhpur

12. Bikaner

13. Halwara

14. Pathankot

15. Jammu

16. Leh

17. Ludhiana

18. Bhuntar

19. Bhatinda

20. Mundra

21. Jamnagar

22. Rajkot

23. Porbandar

24. Kandla

25. Keshod

26. Bhuj

27. Chandigarh

The closures have led to significant disruptions in air travel, with over 430 flights canceled across the affected regions . International carriers have also been impacted, as airlines reroute flights to avoid the conflict zones, leading to longer travel times and logistical challenges .

Operation Sindoor, executed in the early hours of Wednesday, involved precision strikes using missiles and guided munitions launched by both aircraft and ground forces. The operation targeted bases of UN-designated terrorist groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), located across the international border and along the Line of Control (LoC) .

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri described the operation as “measured, non-escalatory, proportionate, and responsible,” emphasizing that the strikes were a direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack and aimed at deterring further cross-border terrorism.

The situation remains tense, with both nations on high alert. Travel advisories have been updated, and passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest information on flight operations. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with further updates expected in the coming days.

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