The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday evening confirmed that 24 airports across India have been shut for civil flight operations, as tensions between India and Pakistan surged following a Pakistani drone and missile attack on multiple Indian cities.
Airports in Chandigarh, Srinagar, Jaisalmer, Shimla, and other sensitive zones near the western border have been temporarily closed. The closures come hours after India’s air defence systems intercepted hostile projectiles targeting Jammu, Punjab, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, in a retaliatory flare-up following India’s Operation Sindoor, which struck terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Wednesday.
Also Read: India replies to Pakistan missile barrage, hits Lahore
Blackouts, Sirens, and Grounded Flights
In the wake of these attacks, air raid sirens were heard across several cities, including Chandigarh, Pathankot, and Jaisalmer, prompting emergency blackouts and the suspension of the IPL 2025 match in Dharamshala.
As a result, civil aviation has been severely affected, with airlines issuing advisories and altering flight schedules.
- IndiGo cancelled 165 flights on Wednesday, and issued an urgent notice urging passengers to arrive early due to enhanced security checks.
- Air India and Air India Express reported a similar number of cancellations, and diverted two international flights headed to Amritsar to New Delhi.
- SpiceJet and Akasa Air echoed similar caution, requesting passengers to arrive at least three hours prior to departure. “In these extraordinary times, heightened security measures are in place. Please allow extra time for your journey. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation,” IndiGo posted on X.
Mock Drills and Airport Security
Photos released by Reuters showed CISF personnel conducting mock civil defence drills at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, underscoring the heightened alert levels across the nation’s aviation network.
Passenger Advisory: Flight Status Uncertain Until Saturday
Airlines have informed passengers that flights from affected airports may remain suspended until Saturday, depending on further assessment of the security situation.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation is coordinating with the Ministry of Defence and security agencies to monitor the situation and will update the list of operational airports as required.
