India Halts Civil Flights at 32 Airports Amid Conflict

Civilian flight operations have been suspended at 32 airports across northern and western India till May 15, according to a directive from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday. The move follows the intensifying military conflict between India and Pakistan that erupted after India conducted strikes on terrorist camps on May 7.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI), in coordination with other aviation bodies, has issued a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) informing of the temporary closure. 

"The closure will be effective from May 9, 2025, to May 14, 2025 (which corresponds to 0529 IST on 15th May 2025), due to operational reasons," the DGCA stated in an official release.

The airports affected by this suspension include Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, and Jammu. Additionally, flights have been halted at Jaisalmer, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), and Leh. 

The remaining airports listed for closure are Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise, and Uttarlai.

Initially, 24 airports had been ordered shut for civil operations through May 10. This latest directive expands both the scope and duration of airspace restrictions.

In addition to airport closures, the DGCA has also announced the suspension of 25 segments of Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes within the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions (FIRs). 

These segments will remain closed from the ground up to unlimited altitude until 2359 UTC on May 14, 2025, which corresponds to 0529 IST on May 15. "The 25 route segments will remain unavailable from ground level to unlimited altitude until 2359 UTC on 14th May 2025 (which corresponds to 0529 IST on 15th May 2025)," said the DGCA.

Airlines have been instructed to adjust their flight plans accordingly. The regulator noted that the closure is being managed with the cooperation of the relevant Air Traffic Control units to prioritise safety and minimise service disruptions.

Tensions between the two nations have continued to escalate following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in 26 deaths. In retaliation, India shut its airspace to Pakistani carriers on April 30. Pakistan responded by closing its airspace to Indian flights on April 24.

The current conflict has intensified following India’s Operation Sindoor, launched early on May 7, which targeted nine terror locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Subsequent to these strikes, Pakistan has engaged in continued shelling along the border.

The ongoing conflict and resulting airspace restrictions have led airlines to cancel several services. Air India announced via a post on X that it has suspended flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Bhuj, Jamnagar, and Rajkot till 5:29 am on May 15. 

IndiGo also confirmed in a post on X that all flights serving ten destinations will remain cancelled through the same period.

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