Two scheduled flights from Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar were cancelled on Thursday, May 8, 2025, due to airspace restrictions and technical constraints. These cancellations were prompted by "Operation Sindoor" and related national security concerns.

One of the cancelled flights was bound for Hindon Airport in Ghaziabad. The other flight was connecting Patna to Chandigarh via Bhubaneswar. Prasanna Pradhan, the Director of BPIA, confirmed that the cancellations were precautionary, aligning with directives from aviation authorities amidst a heightened alert.

The Hindon flight was directly affected by the temporary closure of Hindon Airport, as per government directives. The Patna flight was cancelled for the second consecutive day due to technical reasons.

These flight cancellations are part of a broader, nationwide impact on air travel following "Operation Sindoor". Several key airports, including those in Hindon, Chandigarh, Jammu, Srinagar, Amritsar, and Pathankot, have faced temporary suspensions of civilian flights as part of the security protocol in place from May 7 to May 10.

Bhubaneswar airport is not within the conflict-sensitive zones, but it is experiencing indirect operational constraints. Despite the cancellations, Director Prasanna Pradhan has confirmed that all other aircraft and airport operations are functioning normally, and there is no cause for alarm. Normal operations across the country are expected to resume after the airspace restrictions are reviewed post-May 10, pending advisories from the Union government.

In the meantime, a new daily flight from Bhubaneswar to Visakhapatnam has been announced and will begin operations in June. The specific date and time for this new flight are yet to be announced.

"Operation Sindoor" has led to heightened security measures across the country. Vital installations and the coastline in Odisha are under high alert. Security has been enhanced at key locations, including the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri and critical defence establishments. The Bhubaneswar Railway Station has also seen increased security, with intensified vigilance efforts, weapon deployment, and sniffer dog squads. Passengers are being urged to remain alert and report any suspicious activity.

The Odisha Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, has hailed "Operation Sindoor" as a testament to India's zero-tolerance approach to terrorism. He commended the Indian armed forces for their decisive action against terror camps and said that the nation stands firmly behind its soldiers.

Following "Operation Sindoor," Bhubaneswar has also witnessed a surge in sales of sindoor (vermilion), with citizens celebrating the military action and expressing support for the armed forces. People have gathered with flags and sindoor, viewing it as a symbol of national pride and solidarity. Shopkeepers have reported unusually high demand, reflecting a cultural association with victory and strength. Citizens have been applying sindoor tilaks (marks on the forehead) as a symbolic gesture of support for the soldiers.