32 Airports Closed Till May 14 Amid India-Pakistan Tensions
In a major move to enhance security amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, civil flight operations at 32 airports in North and West India have been suspended from May 9 to May 14, 2025. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) announcing the temporary closure, citing heightened security concerns.
The closure impacts airports located in sensitive regions and includes Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise, and Uttarlai.
“All civil flight activities at these airports will remain suspended during this period,” the AAI said in its official communication. The initial order affected 24 airports, but the list was expanded following continued military escalation between the two countries.
The NOTAM was issued after a series of airstrikes and retaliatory attacks between India and Pakistan. India recently carried out precision strikes targeting terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to a major terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. Pakistan responded with drone and missile attacks across Indian territory, including Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan.
While Indian air defence systems successfully intercepted the majority of the threats, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has heightened security at airports across conflict-sensitive regions. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has implemented multiple precautionary measures, including mandatory Secondary Ladder Point Checks (SLPC) for all passengers, a complete suspension of visitor entry to terminals, and deployment of Air Marshals on select flights.
Airlines have swiftly responded to the NOTAM. Air India has cancelled services to and from key locations such as Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Bhuj, Jamnagar, and Rajkot. The airline has offered full refunds or free one-time rescheduling for affected passengers.
Low-cost carrier IndiGo also suspended flights to multiple destinations on the closure list and has made arrangements for customers to check flight status, rebook, or request refunds via its website.
Airlines have advised passengers traveling through nearby operational airports to arrive at least three hours before departure, as enhanced security checks may lead to delays. Hundreds of flights have already been cancelled, and more disruptions are expected over the coming days.
As the situation between India and Pakistan continues to unfold, authorities are monitoring developments closely and may extend the suspension if the threat level persists.
IT.
