32 Airports Resume Operations After Temporary Shutdown Amid Indo-Pak Tensions
32 Airports Resume Operations After Temporary Shutdown Amid Indo-Pak Tensions
After several days of suspension due to rising tensions along the Indo-Pak border, 32 airports across northern and western India have reopened for civil flight operations, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed on May 12. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued to inform aviation stakeholders of the resumption.
These airports—including major hubs like Srinagar, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Leh—had been closed from May 9 to May 15 as a precautionary measure, following increased military activity and the launch of Operation Sindoor by India on May 7.
“Attention flyers: Civil aircraft operations are now permitted at all 32 previously closed airports with immediate effect. Passengers are advised to check flight status directly with their airlines and monitor official websites for further updates,” the AAI stated.
The Chandigarh Airport resumed services from 10:30 AM on May 12, with other airports gradually restarting operations throughout the day.
This decision came shortly after India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire on Saturday. According to the Indian Army, the night that followed was “largely peaceful” across Jammu & Kashmir and the International Border, marking a welcome pause in hostilities.
Earlier, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had appealed to authorities to reopen Srinagar Airport to ease travel delays, especially for Haj pilgrims who had faced disruption due to the closure.
The closure originally impacted a wide range of strategic and commercial airports including:
- Adampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra, Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali, Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot, Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise, and Uttarlai.
These measures were taken following a directive by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), citing operational concerns amid regional instability.
Now, with a relative de-escalation in border tensions, flight services have resumed, offering relief to thousands of stranded passengers.
