Massive Flight Disruptions in India Amid Indo-Pak Tensions

Posted on Wednesday, May 7th, 2025 by Neha Sharma Leave a Comment

In the wake of escalating Indo-Pak tensions following the deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir, the Indian Government has launched a targeted military operation, Operation Sindoor. This has resulted in widespread flight cancellations, airport shutdowns, & rerouting of air traffic by major airlines including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Qatar Airways.

Below is a detailed update with everything you need to know as a traveler.

Why are Flights Being Cancelled? 

The primary reason for the sudden air traffic disruptions is the launch of Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir that killed 26 civilians. Indian forces carried out airstrikes on terrorist infrastructure across the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, leading to temporary restrictions on Indian and Pakistani airspace.

This has led the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and airlines to temporarily suspend operations at key northern Indian airports as a precautionary measure.

List Of Affected Airports

Airport	Status	Notes
Srinagar (SXR)	Closed	Civilian flights suspended due to Operation Sindoor.
Jammu (IXJ)	Closed	All commercial flights canceled.
Leh (IXL)	Closed	Flights suspended amid security concerns.
Chandigarh (IXC)	Closed	IAF has taken control; all civilian flights canceled.
Amritsar (ATQ)	Closed	Flights rerouted; airport shut until further notice.
Ludhiana (LUH)	Closed	Included in the list of closed airports.
Patiala	Closed	Operations suspended due to security measures.
Bathinda (BUP)	Closed	Flights halted amid regional tensions.
Halwara	Closed	Military base; civilian operations suspended.
Pathankot (IXP)	Closed	Flights suspended due to proximity to border.
Bhuntar (KUU)	Closed	Operations halted amid security alerts.
Shimla (SLV)	Closed	Airport closed due to airspace restrictions.
Gaggal (DHM)	Closed	Flights suspended; airport operations halted.
Dharamsala (DHM)	Closed	Complete shutdown amid Operation Sindoor.
Kishangarh (KQH)	Closed	Included in the list of closed airports.
Jaisalmer (JSA)	Closed	Flights suspended due to security concerns.
Jodhpur (JDH)	Closed	Civil operations suspended; flights canceled.
Bikaner (BKB)	Closed	Military control zone; civilian flights halted.
Mundra	Closed	Airport operations suspended amid tensions.
Jamnagar (JGA)	Closed	Naval zone; flights canceled due to security reasons.
Rajkot (RAJ)	Closed	Flights rerouted; airport closed until May 9.
Porbandar (PBD)	Closed	Operations suspended amid regional tensions.
Kandla (IXY)	Closed	Flights halted due to security measures.
Keshod (IXK)	Closed	Included in the list of closed airports.
Bhuj (BHJ)	Closed	No active civil flights until further notice.
Gwalior (GWL)	Closed	Flights canceled amid security alerts.
Hindon	Closed	Military base; civilian operations suspended.

Airline-Wise Flight Cancellations & Disruptions

1. Air India & Air India Express

Air India, the national carrier, has issued an emergency flight suspension on all routes to and from high-tension zones in northern India. This includes Leh, Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, and Chandigarh. Air India & Air India Express have confirmed that the decision has been made in close coordination with government directives & the Indian Air Force.

• All flights to Leh, Jammu, and Srinagar have been grounded until further notice.
• Flights that were mid-air to Amritsar were safely rerouted to Delhi.
• International flights inbound to Amritsar are being redirected or rescheduled.
• Domestic connections from Delhi & Mumbai to affected airports are fully suspended.

2. IndiGo Airlines

As India’s largest private airline, IndiGo has been significantly affected by airspace restrictions under Operation Sindoor. IndiGo operates a large network across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, many of which lie in sensitive border regions.

• Flights cancelled to/from: Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Dharamshala, Amritsar, Chandigarh.
• Over 60 flights have been grounded or diverted as of May 7, 2025.
• Delhi and Mumbai airports are experiencing cascading delays due to diverted aircraft.

3. SpiceJet

SpiceJet has also suspended a large number of flights to border-region cities & mountainous terrain areas. Known for serving hard-to-reach areas in India, the airline has temporarily shut operations in Dharamshala, Amritsar, Leh, and Jammu.

• Implemented a blanket cancellation of all flights operating from sensitive northern airports.
• On-ground coordination with airport authorities and security forces to assist with crowd control.
• Pre-emptive diversions and rescheduling for incoming flights already airborne.

4. Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways has not canceled flights to India but has made major airspace adjustments in its flight paths due to Indo-Pak tensions and Indian airspace restrictions near the northwest corridor.

• Flights that previously passed over northern India and Pakistan are being routed over the Arabian Sea and Central Asia, adding 60–90 minutes to some long-haul flights.
• Inbound flights to Amritsar and Delhi may experience delays or route changes.

Official Statements & Airline Helplines 

Airline	Contact/Helpdesk	Website
Air India	011-69329333 / 011-69329999	Airindia.com
IndiGo	0124 617 3838	goindigo.in
SpiceJet	+91 (0)124 4983410+91 (0)124 7101600	spicejet.com
Qatar Airways	0008000404657	qatarairways.com

Security Measures At Airports 

• Increased military presence at airports near the border.
• Baggage checks and frisking intensified.
• Passengers are requested to arrive 3 hours before departure at unaffected airports.
• No-fly zones were temporarily imposed near sensitive military zones.

How long will this Last? 

• No official end date has been provided yet.
• DGCA and the Ministry of Civil Aviation are in constant coordination with the defense and intelligence agencies.
• Travelers should expect disruptions to last at least 48–72 hours, depending on military developments and airspace security.

Expert Quote

“Passenger safety is our highest priority. With airspace curbs and heightened security, all decisions are being made in consultation with the Indian Air Force and airport authorities.”
— Civil Aviation Ministry Spokesperson

Advice For Travelers

• Check your flight status before leaving home
• Reschedule or cancel flights proactively through apps
• Do not travel to closed airports
• Be flexible with plans, especially if traveling to/from northern India
• Follow DGCA or the airline Twitter handles for the fastest updates

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: Why are flights being canceled or suspended across India?

A: Flights are being canceled due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following a recent terror attack in Kashmir. In response, India launched “Operation Sindoor,” leading to airspace restrictions and the closure of several northern airports.

Q: Which airports are currently affected?

A: The following airports are either closed or operating with restrictions:

Srinagar (SXR), Leh (IXL), Jammu (IXJ), Amritsar (ATQ), Chandigarh (IXC), Dharamshala (DHM), Jodhpur (JDH), Rajkot (RAJ), Jamnagar (JGA), Bikaner (BKB), Bhuj (BHJ)

These closures are temporary but indefinite, as per the Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA.

Q: What is IndiGo’s “Plan B,” and how does it help affected passengers?

A: IndiGo’s “Plan B” allows passengers whose flights have been canceled or rescheduled to:

• Change the time and/or date of their flight
• Cancel and process a refund

This can be done at no additional cost. To use Plan B, visit goindigo.in/plan-b.html and enter your PNR/Booking reference number and Email ID/Last name.

Q: Which routes are currently suspended or affected by IndiGo?

A: IndiGo has suspended flights to the following international destinations due to airspace restrictions:

• Almaty, Kazakhstan (from April 27 until at least May 7)
• Tashkent, Uzbekistan (from April 28 until at least May 7)

Additionally, approximately 50 international routes are experiencing adjustments, including longer flight times and rerouting.

Q: Are international flights also affected by these disruptions?

A: Yes, international flights are impacted due to airspace closures. Flights to Europe, North America, and parts of Asia are being rerouted, leading to longer travel times and, in some cases, additional fuel stops.

Q: What should I do if my flight has been canceled or rescheduled?

• Check your airline’s official communication for specific instructions.
• Use online tools like IndiGo’s Plan B to manage your booking.

Contact customer service for assistance with rebooking or refunds.

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