Flights delayed, cancelled or suspended
The Air strikes by Indian forces across Pakistan and PoK triggered flight cancellations in Northern India, impacting travel to sensitive border states. This came as a precautionary measure after Indian forces launched air strikes at 9 locations across Pakistan and PoK targeting terror launch pads early on 7 May.
Flight ops to Dharamshala, Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Bhuj, and Amritsar have been disrupted, with major carriers—including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Air India Express—issuing advisories and cancelling flights amid heightened security concerns.
Air India has extended its flight cancellations following new directives from aviation authorities. Flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot will remain suspended till 05:29 IST on 10 May.
This follows an official notification regarding the continued closure of airports in sensitive northern and western regions, as part of heightened security protocols following India’s air strikes.
IndiGo has also cancelled flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Gwalior, Kishangarh, and Rajkot till 05:29 AM on 10 May, citing changes in airspace conditions. The airline is offering passengers the option to reschedule or seek a refund.
Tata Sons low-cost carrier Air India Express informed passengers that flights to and from Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, and Hindon have been affected. Similarly, budget carrier SpiceJet informed passengers about disruptions in flights to Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar and Amritsar are closed until further notice.
Hundreds of flights to these airports are bound to be affected today till mid day. IndiGo operates between 16-25 daily flights, Air India operates around 25 daily flights, SpiceJet operates between 20-23 daily flights to the affected airports. IndiGo alone has cancelled over 165 flights in light of the airspace restrictions.
Do read Air Strikes on Pakistan by Indian Forces – Operation Sindoor
Also read Mock Drill for India’s readiness to emergency – DOs and DONTs
Notice To Airmen (NOTAM)
On Tuesday, Airports Authority of India issued a NOTAM regarding an air exercise by the Indian Airforce. The NOTAM is applicable for May 7 and 8 in Rajasthan and other areas close to the international border with Pakistan.
Last week, the government had also issued a NOTAM restricting usage of Indian airspace by Pakistan operated or registered aircraft.
Closure of North and West Airports
Following the airstrikes, civil flight operations have been suspended with immediate effect at several key airports in North and West India. The full list of affected airports includes:
Chandigarh (IXC)
Jodhpur (JDH)
Jaisalmer (JSA)
Jamnagar (JGA)
Leh (IXL)
Thois (THW)
Srinagar (SXR)
Jammu (IXJ)
Amritsar (ATQ)
Bhatinda (BUP)
Bhuj (BHJ)
Dharamshala (DHM)
Shimla (SLV)
Rajkot (RAJ)
Porbandar (PBD)
Most of these are located near to the international border with Pakistan, scoring the elevated security alert in the region.
Do read Air Strikes on Pakistan by Indian Forces – Operation Sindoor
Also read Mock Drill for India’s readiness to emergency – DOs and DONTs
Operation disrupts air traffic: Flight delays in Delhi, Srinagar, Jammu and other areas
23 Domestic Flights Cancelled
As of Wednesday morning, approximately 160 domestic IndiGo flights have been cancelled, according to an official cited by news agency PTI. Additionally, at least 20 flights from various airlines have been cancelled at Delhi airport.
According to statements from several Indian carriers, the following airports in India are closed to civilian traffic until further notice.
SpiceJet – Flight Advisory
“Due to ongoing situation, airports in parts of northern India, including Dharamshala (DHM), Leh (IXL), Jammu (IXJ), Srinagar (SXR), and Amritsar (ATQ), are closed until further notice. Departures, arrivals, and consequential flights may be impacted. Passengers are advised to plan their journey accordingly and check flight status at: https://spicejet.com/#status,” SpiceJet posted on X.
Indigo – Flight Advisory
“Due to changing airspace conditions in the region, our flights to and from #Srinagar, #Jammu, #Amritsar, #Leh, #Chandigarh and #Dharamshala are impacted. We request you to check your flight status before reaching the airport,” Indigo Airlines posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Operation Sindoor: Srinagar airport closed for civilian flights for 7th May
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has confirmed the closure of the airfield at Srinagar Airport, resulting in a complete suspension of civilian flight operations for today. Director Srinagar Airport Javed Anjum confirmed to local news agency in Kashmir saying that “Airfield is closed and today no civil flights will be operated from Srinagar Airport.”
The airlines said in a post wrote that airports comprising Leh, Jammu, Dharamshala, Srinagar and Amritsar would be closed until further notice, further stating that departures, arrivals and subsequent flights would also be impacted.
“Due to the ongoing situation, airports in parts of northern India, including Dharamshala (DHM), Leh (IXL), Jammu (IXJ), Srinagar (SXR), and Amritsar (ATQ), are closed until further notice. Departures, arrivals, and consequential flights may be impacted. Passengers are advised to plan their journey accordingly and check flight status,” it said.
“Due to changing airspace conditions in the region, our flights to and from #Srinagar, #Jammu, #Amritsar, #Leh, #Chandigarh and #Dharamshala are impacted. We request you to check your flight status before reaching the airport,” the IndiGo post said. It urged passengers to check flight status prior to reaching the airport.
More news and information blogs at newsith.com
Read more for World Affairs
Also read Mock Drill for India’s readiness to emergency – DOs and DONTs
Worth reading states and cities taking part in Mock Drill
More news on Operation Sindoor read here