Centre Extends Closure of 24 Airports Till 15 May Amid India-Pakistan Conflict
In light of increasing hostilities between India and Pakistan, the central government has decided to prolong the closure of 24 airports across the country until May 15. This decision follows the Indian Air Force’s Operation Sindoor and a failed drone assault reportedly launched by Pakistan’s military. Initially, the Ministry of Civil Aviation had ordered the suspension of civil flight operations at these airports until May 10.
The affected airports are located in multiple cities including Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bhuntar, Kishangarh, Patiala, Shimla, Jaisalmer, Pathankot, Jammu, Bikaner, Leh, Porbandar, and others.
Airlines Respond with Cancellations and Alerts
Airlines have begun issuing advisories, urging passengers to stay informed about ongoing closures and security developments. IndiGo announced the cancellation of all flights to and from key northern cities—such as Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, and Rajkot—until the night of May 10.
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport reported disruptions due to heightened security checks. Between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday, 66 domestic departures, 63 domestic arrivals, 5 international departures, and 4 international arrivals were cancelled, as per a PTI report. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Delhi International Airport Ltd. (DIAL) said that while operations remain largely normal, travelers should anticipate potential delays due to evolving airspace conditions and strengthened security protocols.
Heightened Security After Pahalgam Attack
Security has been significantly tightened at airports following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. India blamed Pakistan for backing cross-border terrorism an accusation Islamabad has denied.
On Thursday night, India’s air defence system intercepted 300 to 400 drones allegedly launched by the Pakistani military. Though the drones were neutralized, residents in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat reported panic after witnessing loud explosions and flashes in the sky.
In addition to the drone incursion, heavy shelling by Pakistani forces across the Line of Control resulted in casualties and property damage in several border villages in Jammu and Kashmir.