Heightened tensions between India and Pakistan have prompted the temporary closure of key airports across northern and western India as a precautionary measure. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) announcing the suspension of civil flight operations at 32 airports. These closures are in effect from May 9 to May 14, 2025.
The affected airports include 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.
This decision follows a series of events, including India's precision strikes at alleged terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which resulted in retaliatory drone and missile attacks by Pakistan in areas of Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan. While Indian defense systems successfully intercepted and neutralized these threats, aviation security has been significantly heightened.
In addition to the airport closures, the Airports Authority of India has extended the temporary closure of 25 segments of Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes within the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions (FIRs). These routes will be unavailable from ground level to unlimited altitude until 11:59 pm on May 14, 2025. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has advised airlines and flight operators to plan alternate routes. The Ministry also stated that the temporary closure is being managed in coordination with relevant ATC units to ensure safety and minimize disruption.
Airlines have already begun to respond to the closures. Air India has confirmed flight cancellations to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Bhuj, Jamnagar, and Rajkot, offering passengers full refunds or one-time rescheduling waivers. IndiGo has also cancelled services to multiple cities covered under the NOTAM and provided online options for customers to check flight status, rebook, or apply for refunds.
Pakistan has also fully shut its airspace to all air traffic until at least 12 pm Pakistan time (12:30 pm IST) on Sunday, May 11, according to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority.
Passengers have been advised to arrive at least three hours before departure due to tightened screening procedures. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has mandated stricter security measures at airports.
