Following a noticeable reduction in cross-border hostilities, India has reopened 32 airports across the northern and western regions of the country that were temporarily closed due to heightened tensions with Pakistan. The decision, announced on Monday, came three days after the closure was extended and just hours after both nations agreed to halt all military action across land, air, and sea.
Among the airports that resumed civil aviation services are Srinagar, Amritsar, Jammu, Leh, Chandigarh, and Ambala. These facilities were part of a broader shutdown that initially impacted airfields near the Indo-Pak border and major Indian Air Force (IAF) bases. According to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) were issued for all 32 affected airports, making them operational for civilian flights again.
The closures had initially been announced following India’s precision airstrikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7 under Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory campaign against the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region. The airstrikes targetted nine specific locations identified as militant hubs, prompting Pakistan to respond with large-scale missile and drone attacks, particularly aimed at military installations in northern and western India.
Flight Ban Lifted After Extension
Although the original flight restrictions were set to pass on the morning of May 11, escalated threats led authorities to extend the ban on civil aircraft operations until May 15. As tensions have since cooled, airspace and airport access are now being restored progressively.
In a separate NOTAM, Indian aviation authorities also reopened 25 key flight routes that had been suspended due to safety concerns. These include air corridors over the Mumbai Flight Information Region and international air routes that were redirected during the conflict. However, despite India’s reopening, Pakistan has yet to lift its ban on Indian carriers and aircraft, forcing long-haul flights to reroute through southern airspace over Mumbai, the Arabian Sea, and Muscat for destinations in Europe and North America.
The full list of affected airports includes: Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise, and Uttarlai.
Indigo Issues a Statement
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, issued a statement following the government’s announcement, indicating that flights on the affected routes would resume gradually. The airline also warned of possible delays and last-minute changes, advising travelers to frequently check flight updates.
Security protocols at all Indian airports remain heightened as per orders from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which last week extended enhanced measures until May 18. These include increased baggage screening, a ban on terminal visitor entry, suspension of visitor ticket sales, and mandatory early arrival passengers are advised to reach the airport at least three hours before departure, and check-in counters are now closing 75 minutes ahead of scheduled flights.
Meanwhile, visuals from airports like Chandigarh earlier in the week highlighted the disruption, with empty terminals and grounded aircraft. The AAI confirmed that passengers whose flights were cancelled due to the airspace shutdown are eligible for full refunds or a one-time rescheduling waiver.
