Several major airports in North and Western India have witnessed temporary flight suspensions in the wake of airspace restrictions imposed by Indian aviation authorities, following a cross-border military operation.
Airlines, including national carrier Air India, have cancelled flights to and from nine airports until 5:29 AM IST on 10 May, in response to the closure of airspace triggered by heightened security alerts. The Ministry of Civil Aviation notified airlines of the temporary closure of select airspaces, directly affecting operations at airports in Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Amritsar, Jodhpur, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot. These regions fall along or near India’s western borders, where airspace sensitivity has sharply increased after a military retaliation was launched against terror installations. Consequently, commercial operations in these areas have ground to a halt, disrupting connectivity for thousands of passengers.
Multiple private carriers, including SpiceJet and IndiGo, have also issued advisories, confirming disruptions on key regional routes. Affected destinations include Dharamshala and other sensitive airports in the Himalayan and border regions. While Air India announced full refunds and a one-time rescheduling waiver for impacted travellers, the uncertainty around resumption of services has prompted widespread concern, particularly among those flying for health, business, or emergency purposes. Airlines have urged passengers to frequently check for flight updates and refrain from arriving at airports without confirmed information. This wave of cancellations has led to ripple effects across India’s civil aviation network, with many connecting flights delayed or rerouted. At a time when domestic travel demand has been steadily rising, especially in summer months, this disruption has thrown operational schedules into disarray. Analysts note that such closures, though essential for national security, highlight the need for a more resilient emergency aviation protocol, especially in conflict-prone zones.
The development also raises broader questions about regional accessibility and infrastructure readiness. Many of the affected airports, situated in politically and geographically fragile zones, are often the sole aerial link for remote populations. With climate change and security concerns intersecting more frequently, aviation experts suggest that long-term solutions such as decentralised flight routes and upgraded infrastructure will be essential. While government sources have not confirmed when full services will resume, authorities are closely monitoring the situation. For now, the priority remains ensuring civilian safety and maintaining operational readiness, even at the cost of temporary disruption.
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