Civilian flights halted at 32 airports amid ongoing India-Pakistan conflict: DGCA

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced the suspension of civilian flight operations at 32 airports across northern and western India till May 15, citing operational reasons amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.

The suspension, which came into effect from May 9 and will last until 5:29 am (IST) on May 15, follows India’s air strikes on May 7 targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor, and Pakistan’s continued shelling along the border in retaliation.

According to the DGCA, airports affected by the temporary closure include major hubs like Srinagar, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Leh, Jammu, and Jodhpur, as well as smaller facilities such as Adhampur, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jamnagar, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Thoise, and Uttarlai.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other aviation bodies have issued Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) regarding the closure, which affects all civil operations at these locations.

The DGCA has also extended the closure of 25 segments of Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes within the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions (FIRs) until 11:59 pm (UTC) on May 14. These restrictions apply from ground level to unlimited altitude. Airlines have been advised to reroute flights to ensure minimal disruption.

Flag carrier Air India confirmed cancellations of flights to and from impacted cities including Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Bhuj, Jamnagar, and Rajkot until the morning of May 15. IndiGo also stated on X (formerly Twitter) that all flights to and from 10 of the affected destinations would remain suspended for the same duration.

Aviation regulator DGCA says 32 airports temporarily shut for civilian flights till May 15 pic.twitter.com/Ev17YYJLfj

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 9, 2025

The escalating airspace restrictions come against the backdrop of a broader military standoff between the two nations. India had earlier shut its airspace to Pakistani carriers on April 30 in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives. Pakistan, in turn, closed its airspace for Indian airlines on April 24.

The DGCA stated that the current restrictions are being implemented in coordination with air traffic control (ATC) units to prioritise passenger safety and operational efficiency.