India has temporarily shut down 27 airports across its northern, western, and central regions until 5:29 AM on Saturday, May 10, following heightened military tensions with Pakistan. The move has led to the cancellation of 430 domestic flights on Thursday, accounting for approximately 3% of India's scheduled air traffic.
The closures come in the wake of "Operation Sindoor," a series of Indian military strikes targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. In response, Pakistan has claimed to have downed several Indian aircraft and has vowed retaliatory actions.
Airports affected by the shutdown include major hubs such as Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda, Halwara, Pathankot, Bhuntar, Shimla, Gaggal, Dharamsala, Kishangarh, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Mundra, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Kandla, Keshod, Bhuj, Gwalior, and Hindon.
The airspace over Pakistan and western India, particularly between Kashmir and Gujarat, has seen a significant reduction in civilian air traffic as airlines reroute flights to avoid the sensitive zones. International carriers have also adjusted their routes, with many avoiding Pakistani airspace altogether.
Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for the latest updates on flight schedules and airport operations. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are anticipated as diplomatic and military responses evolve.
The closures come in the wake of "Operation Sindoor," a series of Indian military strikes targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. In response, Pakistan has claimed to have downed several Indian aircraft and has vowed retaliatory actions.
Airports affected by the shutdown include major hubs such as Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda, Halwara, Pathankot, Bhuntar, Shimla, Gaggal, Dharamsala, Kishangarh, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Mundra, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Kandla, Keshod, Bhuj, Gwalior, and Hindon.
The airspace over Pakistan and western India, particularly between Kashmir and Gujarat, has seen a significant reduction in civilian air traffic as airlines reroute flights to avoid the sensitive zones. International carriers have also adjusted their routes, with many avoiding Pakistani airspace altogether.
Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for the latest updates on flight schedules and airport operations. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are anticipated as diplomatic and military responses evolve.
