Key Takeaways
• Up to 27 airports in India closed under Operation Sindoor until at least May 10, only military flights allowed.
• Between 400 and 850 daily flights canceled, impacting tens of thousands of travelers and causing network-wide delays.
• International airlines reroute flights to avoid Pakistani airspace, resulting in longer routes and potential price increases.
India 🇮🇳 is facing major air travel disruption as airport closures and hundreds of flight cancellations take effect under “Operation Sindoor.” This emergency move, which started after attacks and rising security risks along the border with Pakistan 🇵🇰, marks one of India’s largest air travel shutdowns in years. From early May, passengers, airlines, and the travel industry across India have seen rapid changes in how flights operate, with major impacts on travel both inside and outside the country.
What is Operation Sindoor and Why Was It Started?
The steps taken under Operation Sindoor did not begin out of nowhere. It all started when a terrorist attack happened in Pahalgam, a region known for its beautiful scenery but also tension because of its location. The incident led Indian armed forces to strike suspected terrorist camps across the border in Pakistan and also in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. What followed was a series of attacks from Pakistan’s side, using missiles and drones targeting Indian military sites close to the border.
Indian defenses managed to prevent most of these attacks. Still, these events left government officials worried about further threats, especially in areas where airports are close to the border or key military bases. As a result, Operation Sindoor was put in place to prevent possible harm to the public at airports considered most at risk.
Operation Sindoor’s main goal is clear: keep people safe and reduce the chance that civilians might get caught up in acts of violence while at or near airports in northern and western regions of India 🇮🇳.
Airports Closed under Operation Sindoor
One of the most noticeable changes caused by Operation Sindoor is the closing of multiple airports across north, west, and central India. These airport closures mainly hit places near Pakistan 🇵🇰, but some airports further away have also seen changes.
The list of major airports closed includes:
– Srinagar
– Jammu
– Leh
– Amritsar
– Chandigarh
– Ludhiana
– Patiala
– Bathinda
– Halwara (Punjab)
– Pathankot (Punjab)
– Bhuntar (Himachal Pradesh)
– Shimla (Himachal Pradesh)
– Kangra-Gaggal (Himachal Pradesh)
– Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh)
– Kishangarh (Rajasthan)
– Jaisalmer (Rajasthan)
– Jodhpur (Rajasthan)
– Bikaner (Rajasthan)
– Mundra, Jamnagar, Rajkot/Hirasar, Porbandar, Keshod, Kandla, Bhuj in Gujarat
– Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh
– Hindon near Delhi
There are others as well, with the total number of closures reaching between 24 and 27 airports. According to sources, these closures will last until at least 5:29 AM on Saturday, May 10. During this period, only military or defense flights are permitted. Civilian flights are not allowed to take off or land at these airports until further notice.
How Many Flights Are Affected?
Alongside airport closures, airlines have suspended or canceled a huge number of flights. Nationally, between 400 and 850 flights have been scrapped—roughly three percent of all scheduled daily flights in India. IndiGo, one of the country’s biggest airlines, alone has cancelled more than 165 daily services to and from cities with restricted airports.
These disruptions are not only for a few days. Airlines like IndiGo have said that cancellations will last until late in the day on May 9 or into the early hours of May 10. Other major Indian carriers, including Air India and Akasa Air, have given similar updates.
As expected, the sharp drop in flights is leaving many passengers stranded or having to change their travel plans. Free rescheduling or full refunds are being offered to affected travelers. Still, given the large number of people who depend on flights for work, study, family visits, or holidays, the trouble caused cannot be understated.
Impact on International Travel
The effects of Operation Sindoor do not stop at India’s borders. Due to the threat of conflict and the risk of attacks in the region, international airlines have decided to avoid Pakistan 🇵🇰 airspace completely. Flights between Southeast Asia and Europe or the Middle East now have to take longer routes, flying over Gujarat or the United Arab Emirates instead.
This rerouting means several things:
– Flights may take longer than usual, which could lead to delays.
– Airline schedules might change at the last minute.
– Higher operating costs for airlines, which could affect ticket prices over time.
The knock-on effect is that people trying to connect through India 🇮🇳 on international routes have to keep a close eye on their flight status and be ready for surprises.
Extra Security at All Airports—Not Just the Closed Ones
Airport closures are not the only major change. Even airports that are still open have put in extra security steps for every passenger. As part of these heightened measures:
– Travelers must arrive at least three hours before departure for added checks.
– Each person is allowed only one piece of hand luggage.
– No visitors—only ticketed passengers—can enter terminal buildings.
– More security staff and extra inspections are happening throughout all terminals.
Airlines, including Air India and Akasa Air, have sent out messages to customers about these stricter rules. Everyone is encouraged to check in with their airline before heading to the airport, as the rules apply even to airports far from the conflict zone. For more on current airport security and travel advice, you can visit the Bureau of Immigration, Government of India.
Broader Ripple Effects Across the Aviation Industry
What stands out about Operation Sindoor is how its effects reach far beyond the airports actually closed. With nearly 3% of all flights grounded and modified security protocols everywhere, a few key changes are being felt throughout India:
- Network Delays: Even flights not going to the affected airports are sometimes delayed because planes and crew get stuck elsewhere. Planes that would normally land in a closed airport now have to go to a different airport, which causes a domino effect on scheduling.
- Travel Confusion: Many people who booked flights long ago now face canceled or changed travel with little warning. Some flights are being re-routed to airports much farther away from their original destinations.
- Pressure on Open Airports: With many nearby airports closed, passengers are crowding into those still running, making them busier and sometimes more confusing for travelers.
Long-Term Effects and Concerns
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this large-scale restriction is the biggest peacetime civilian airspace closure India 🇮🇳 has seen in several years. While the main reason is public safety, the effects could spread into the weeks ahead.
Some likely outcomes include:
– Delayed Reopening: If security risks do not fall, airport closures might last longer or spread to more locations.
– Economic Impact: Airlines face huge financial losses from days of cancelled flights. Airport workers, taxi drivers, hotels, and nearby shops also suffer as travel drops off sharply.
– Possible New Rules: Depending on how things develop, the government or airports may introduce longer-term changes to airport security or how flights are managed near disputed borders.
The uncertainty also affects international confidence in India’s civil aviation system. Travelers may choose different routes, and global airlines might decide to use airspace over other countries to avoid the region’s risks.
Response from Airlines and Government Officials
Indian airlines acted fast, sending alerts to thousands of passengers through text, email, and company websites. The government quickly released statements explaining that the steps were for safety, and that the closures were temporary—but could change at short notice depending on what happens next.
Government officials did not give exact numbers of people affected, but with 400 to 850 flights canceled each day over several days, the total is likely in the tens of thousands. Airlines stress that safety comes first and ask passengers to be patient as systems adjust to the big changes. Some companies have set up special help desks at airports and call centers to deal with the spike in questions and refund requests.
Advice for Passengers: How to Protect Your Plans
If you are planning to travel by air within or through India 🇮🇳, here is what you need to do:
– Check your flight status directly with your airline before you leave home. Things can change quickly.
– Arrive at the airport early—three hours before your flight—for extra security checks.
– Bring only one bag of hand luggage to avoid problems at security checkpoints.
– Watch for alerts from airlines about possible changes or new rules.
– Be open to free rescheduling or getting a full refund if your flight is canceled.
If you are flying internationally, remember that your route might change, and you may spend extra time in the air or on the ground as airlines avoid certain airspaces. The best source for up-to-date travel alerts remains your airline or the official airport website.
Why Operation Sindoor Matters for Immigration and Mobility
Beyond the trouble for travelers, Operation Sindoor also creates big challenges for people trying to move across borders for work, study, or family reasons. For example:
– Students traveling to or from schools in affected regions must change their plans, sometimes at the last minute.
– Immigrants returning home or visiting family could face delays, uncertain arrivals, or even be stranded overseas until flights resume.
– Employers needing to bring in workers or send staff abroad now face new challenges planning for arrival dates, visa deadlines, or interviews.
– Foreign embassies and consulates may pause in-person interviews, adding more waiting time to already long immigration or visa processes.
Airport closures like these show how quickly life can change for people who count on regular travel for personal or work reasons. It highlights the need for flexible planning and strong support systems for those whose lives cross borders, especially at times of crisis.
Context: Has This Happened Before?
Airspace closures are rare, but not new, in South Asia. In 2019, both India 🇮🇳 and Pakistan 🇵🇰 closed airspace during another period of tension. Those restrictions lasted days and led to thousands of canceled flights. Each time these major events occur, airlines, passengers, and businesses learn more about how to work through them. Still, each new closure brings its own problems and must be handled carefully.
What Happens Next?
Nobody can say for sure yet how long Operation Sindoor and related airport closures will last. If security improves, flights could restart soon after May 10. If risks continue, closures and restrictions might stay in place for longer—potentially even spreading to other areas if new threats appear.
Indian officials say that public safety is their top concern and that measures will only be lifted when it is safe to do so. Airlines and the country’s travel industry are hoping for a quick return to normal, but are aware that repairs and rescheduling take time.
In Summary
India 🇮🇳 is facing its biggest air travel shutdown in recent memory under Operation Sindoor, with up to 27 airports closed, hundreds of flights canceled, and tough new security throughout every airport. The steps were taken to keep travelers safe after a spike in missile and drone attacks linked to tensions with Pakistan 🇵🇰. Passengers across India and beyond should expect longer travel, possible delays, and stricter rules at airports through early May 10—or possibly longer.
For anyone with plans to fly, keeping up with the latest information from airlines and airport officials is essential. Be prepared for changes, extra time at airports, and possible interruptions to normal travel for a while yet. Operation Sindoor shows just how quickly the security situation can affect everyone moving to, from, or through India—and why staying informed is so important for all travelers, wherever you are headed.
Learn Today
Operation Sindoor → India’s emergency response involving airport closures and flight cancellations due to heightened border security risks.
Airspace Closure → A temporary shutdown of certain sky routes, preventing civilian flights for safety or defense purposes.
Rerouting → Changing an aircraft’s flight path to avoid restricted or dangerous airspaces, often causing longer travel times.
Civilian Flights → Scheduled passenger or cargo flights not operated by military or defense agencies.
Border Tensions → Increased conflict or risk of violence between countries sharing a border, often leading to stricter security protocols.
This Article in a Nutshell
India’s Operation Sindoor, triggered by cross-border attacks and security risks, has closed up to 27 airports and canceled hundreds of flights nationwide. Both domestic and international air travel are severely affected. Travelers must expect strict security, increased delays, rerouted flights, and stay updated on rapidly changing schedules and policies.
— By VisaVerge.com
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