India to Reopen 32 Airports as Tensions with Pakistan Subside

India is set to lift restrictions on 32 airports across its northern and western regions, signaling a de-escalation in tensions with Pakistan, according to a statement from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) . The temporary closure, enforced through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) from May 9 to May 14, 2025, was prompted by heightened border clashes following India’s Operation Sindoor, a military strike targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The AAI announced that the NOTAM will be canceled by the evening of May 12, allowing airports in cities such as Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Jodhpur to resume civil flight operations. The closures had disrupted air travel significantly, with airlines like Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet canceling hundreds of flights and rerouting others to avoid conflict zones. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) coordinated with air traffic control units to manage the disruptions and ensure safety during the period of restricted operations.

The decision to reopen the airports comes as cross-border skirmishes along the Line of Control (LoC) show signs of easing, with both nations reportedly scaling back military engagements. The Indian armed forces’ Operation Sindoor, launched in response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, that killed 26 people, had escalated tensions, leading to reciprocal airspace closures by India and Pakistan. Pakistan had shut its airspace to Indian carriers, forcing airlines to adopt longer routes, while India restricted approximately 25 flight paths into Pakistani airspace.

Airlines are preparing to restore normal operations, with carriers advising passengers to check flight statuses for updates.The reopening of these airports is expected to alleviate travel disruptions and reduce congestion on alternate routes, particularly those via Mumbai and Ahmedabad, which had seen increased traffic during the closures.