Air India on Monday announced the suspension of all flight operations at eight airports on 13 May, citing evolving security concerns and passenger safety priorities.
The affected airports include Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot. The decision follows a broader advisory that also prompted IndiGo to cancel operations on these routes. The disruption in flight schedules comes amid heightened military vigilance near the India–Pakistan border. Sources within the defence establishment confirmed drone activity and airspace violations over the Samba sector in Jammu, prompting immediate defensive action. Explosions were reported as Indian air defence units intercepted suspected Pakistani drones, fuelling regional apprehensions and prompting aviation authorities to ground civilian air traffic in sensitive zones.
While the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had earlier moved to resume operations at 32 airports across northern and western India after a temporary suspension, the escalation of cross-border hostilities has forced a partial rollback. Civil aviation authorities have extended flight restrictions until 15 May for several locations, with further reviews expected based on the evolving geopolitical landscape. Air India took to its official communication channels to release a public travel advisory, assuring passengers that it was closely monitoring the situation. The airline stated that flights to and from the affected stations would resume only after receiving a green signal from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and other concerned authorities. “We acknowledge the inconvenience caused and appreciate the patience of our passengers,” the airline noted.
Air India had previously planned to ramp up services connecting Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Amritsar, and other Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities as part of its regional expansion strategy. These routes are crucial not only for commercial reasons but also for ensuring regional connectivity in remote and strategically important parts of the country. This disruption highlights the fragile balance between civilian mobility and national security in conflict-prone zones. While the aviation sector continues to focus on post-pandemic recovery, events such as these underline the need for adaptive risk planning, robust emergency protocols, and communication systems that centre passenger safety without compromising operational transparency.
For many travellers, especially those in border states and underserved regions, air travel is no longer a luxury but a necessity. The temporary shutdown of critical nodes like Jammu and Leh thus has broader implications, particularly for those relying on medical, educational, and business travel. It also raises renewed calls for strengthening infrastructure resilience, especially in high-risk zones, without overburdening environmental or social ecosystems. As the security environment stabilises, a phased resumption of services is expected. Until then, passengers are advised to check for real-time updates from official airline and airport sources. While ensuring national security remains paramount, the situation underlines the need for collaborative planning between the defence, civil aviation, and urban mobility sectors to safeguard connectivity in a climate-responsible and inclusive manner.
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