Following the easing of tensions between India and Pakistan, New Delhi has lifted the temporary suspension of operations at several northern and western airports, allowing regular civil flights to resume. Amid heightened tensions with Pakistan last week, India had temporarily shut down 32 airports, effective until 5:29 a.m. IST on May 15, as outlined in a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) issued by aviation authorities on Friday. However, these NOTAMs were revoked on May 12 morning with immediate effect, paving the way for the swift resumption of normal flight operations at the affected airports.
In light of evolving circumstances and dynamic airspace conditions, commercial flight operations were temporarily suspended at 32 Airports until 05:29 hrs of May, 15th 2025. It is pleased to inform that these Airports are now fully operational for #CivilAircraft movements with… pic.twitter.com/KmkTEBN0D0
— Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official) May 12, 2025
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) said in a release that, “Attention Flyers; reference notice issued for temporary closure of 32 Airports for civil Aircraft operations till 05:29 hrs of May 15, 2025. It is informed that these Airports are now available for civil Aircraft operations with immediate effect. It is recommended for travellers to check flight status directly with Airlines and monitor Airline’s websites for regular updates.”
Following India’s precision strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under ‘Operation Sindoor’ in the early hours of May 7, New Delhi initially ordered the closure of around 25 airports. These airports, located near the India-Pakistan border or situated at key Indian Air Force bases, were shut until 5:29 a.m. on Saturday to keep civilian air traffic clear of potential risks.
However, as tensions escalated and Pakistan launched large-scale drone and missile attacks targeting Indian military installations in northern and western regions, India mounted a proportionate military response. In light of the ongoing hostilities, authorities extended the airport closures at least until the morning of May 15, adding several more airports to the list as a precautionary measure.
The affected airports included Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Ambala, Ludhiana, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Uttarlai, Rajkot, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Dharamshala, Bathinda, Patiala, Pathankot, Shimla, Kishangarh, Hindon, Porbandar, Mundra, and Kandla, among others. Most of these are defence airfields, with only a few handling limited commercial traffic. Over the past several days, civilian air activity has been virtually absent across regions north of Delhi and much of Rajasthan and Gujarat, where many of the strategically sensitive airports—located near the India-Pakistan border and major Indian Air Force bases—are situated.
“In accordance with the latest government directives, the airports are now open for operations,” IndiGo, India’s largest airline, announced in a travel advisory. “We will gradually resume flights on the previously suspended routes. While services are being restored, some delays and last-minute schedule changes may still occur. We appreciate your patience and understanding as our teams work hard to ensure a smooth return to normal operations.”
The closure of airports in northern and western India, prompted by the conflict with Pakistan, resulted in the cancellation of more than 300 flights daily, according to industry sources. Of these, over 160 daily flights operated by IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, were cancelled due to the airport shutdowns.
On May 10, firing along the India-Pakistan border was brought to a halt, offering a brief window of calm. However, this was short-lived, as Pakistan violated the pause and resumed cross-border shelling, prompting Indian authorities to maintain the suspension of civil flight operations as a safety measure. The continued threat kept several key airports non-operational for days. Now, with the situation gradually stabilising and tensions easing, airport authorities have decided to resume flight services, allowing air travel in the affected regions to slowly return to normal.
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