In the wake of escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan, air travel across the northern and western regions of India has been severely disrupted. A total of 32 airports in India have been closed following a series of airstrikes carried out by India on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of 26 individuals. This marks one of the most significant military confrontations between the two nations in over 20 years.
As a result, civilian flight operations have been temporarily suspended at these 32 airports until May 15, 2025. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have issued a series of NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) notifying pilots and airlines of the temporary closure, which began on May 9 and will continue until 0529 IST on May 15, 2025.
The decision to suspend air traffic has left thousands of passengers stranded across multiple airports. Major domestic carriers such as Air India, Air India Express, and IndiGo have been forced to cancel numerous flights, with global airlines including United Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, American Airlines, Korean Air, Thai Airways, and Singapore Airlines also rerouting or canceling flights to avoid the affected airspace.
The disruption has caused widespread chaos for travelers, with passengers facing long delays, rebooking challenges, and concerns over how to reach their destinations. Airlines are working to communicate with affected passengers, offering refunds, reroutes, and assistance, while local authorities continue to manage the ongoing situation.
As tensions between India and Pakistan show no immediate signs of de-escalating, the aviation industry remains on high alert, with aviation authorities monitoring developments and making necessary adjustments to flight operations. For now, travelers are advised to keep in touch with their airlines for updates on rescheduling and to take extra precautions when traveling in and out of the affected regions.
