Amid a sharp spike in hostilities with Pakistan, India’s Civil Aviation Ministry has temporarily suspended civil flight operations at 24 airports across northern and western states. The move follows a coordinated drone and missile assault from Pakistan that targeted Indian cities in Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat on Thursday evening.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the attack originated from Pakistan. Indian air defence systems successfully intercepted the incoming threats, which led to power outages and air raid sirens in several locations. The heightened tension also forced the suspension of an ongoing IPL match in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.
The affected airports include major and regional hubs such as Chandigarh, Srinagar, Jaisalmer, Shimla, Jammu, and Amritsar.
Complete list of closed airports:
- Chandigarh
- Srinagar
- Amritsar
- Ludhiana
- Bhuntar
- Kishengarh
- Patiala
- Shimla
- Kangra-Gaggal
- Bathinda
- Jaisalmer
- Jodhpur
- Bikaner
- Halwara
- Pathankot
- Jammu
- Leh
- Mundra
- Jamnagar
- Hirasa (Rajkot)
- Porbandar
- Keshod
- Kandla
- Bhuj
According to PTI, the situation escalated when Indian forces initially detected and neutralized aerial intrusions over Jammu. Subsequent blasts were reported in parts of Punjab and sensitive areas of Rajasthan, with other alerts issued along the western border.
This surge in military tension follows India’s launch of ‘Operation Sindoor’, a precision strike against terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation was in direct response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
Commercial airlines have begun issuing passenger advisories. IndiGo, in a statement on X, requested travellers to allow additional time for security procedures. “Heightened security measures are in place across all airports. We urge passengers to arrive early to accommodate extra checks,” the airline said.
Similarly, SpiceJet and Akasa Air have advised passengers to reach airports at least three hours before departure. As a result of the disruptions, IndiGo cancelled 165 flights on Wednesday. Air India and Air India Express also reported widespread cancellations, and two international flights en route to Amritsar were diverted to Delhi.