IndiGo Cancels more than 165 Flights Amid Airspace Restrictions
IndiGo has announced the cancellation of more than 165 flights to and from key northern airports across India until 5:29 am on May 10, following directives from aviation authorities.
The airline cited airspace restrictions resulting from escalating tensions between India and Pakistan as the reason behind the widespread disruption. Flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Gwalior, Kishangarh, and Rajkot have been suspended. IndiGo warned that further changes may be necessary and urged passengers to verify their flight status before arriving at airports. These changes follow India’s retaliatory missile strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including locations in Bahawalpur and Muridke—strongholds of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. The strikes were launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 civilian lives, including tourists.
Other airlines have also initiated schedule changes. Air India cancelled all operations to affected northern destinations until noon on May 7. Air India Express confirmed similar suspensions for Jammu, Srinagar, Hindon, and Amritsar. SpiceJet noted indefinite closures at several northern airports, warning passengers of potential delays to connecting flights. Akasa Air also cancelled flights to Srinagar, citing the airport’s temporary closure. International carriers have not been spared. Qatar Airways suspended all flights to Pakistan due to closed airspace, while two inbound international flights for Amritsar were rerouted to Delhi.
Airports and airlines are advising travellers to stay updated through official websites and service centres as the situation develops. While security operations continue, civil aviation remains disrupted, underscoring the wider regional impact of recent military action.
