Key Takeaways
• India suspended flights at 27 airports until May 10, 2025, due to the India-Pakistan conflict.
• Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet introduced full refund and free rescheduling policies for affected passengers.
• Indian airlines face daily losses totaling Rs 30 crore as a result of extensive flight cancellations.
The sudden escalation of the India-Pakistan conflict has had a big impact on air travel, leaving many passengers worried and airlines scrambling to put helpful plans in place. With Operation Sindoor launched on May 7, 2025, authorities suspended flights at 27 airports in northern, western, and central parts of India 🇮🇳. This ban is set to last until May 10, 2025, at 5:29 AM. As a result, thousands of travelers have faced canceled or delayed flights. Recognizing the trouble and stress this causes, major Indian airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, have announced new rules for refunds and rescheduling. These are meant to make it easier for affected passengers to get their money back or find different flights.
Let’s break down what these airlines are doing, how you can go through the refund process, what it means for your future travel, and what the larger picture looks like for both travelers and the airline industry.
Immediate Airline Responses to the India-Pakistan Conflict
When the conflict began to affect air travel, Indian airlines moved quickly. They knew it was important to support travelers whose plans were suddenly put on hold. The main goals for these airlines were:
- Offering clear refund and rescheduling options
- Giving fast customer support
– Minimizing financial loss for passengers
Each airline has set up steps for people who were planning to fly from or to places most affected by the airport closures, such as Amritsar, Gwalior, Jammu, Srinagar, Hindon, Leh, and Dharamshala.
Air India’s Flexible Refund Process
Air India, which is one of the country’s biggest airlines, introduced full refunds for canceled flights and a one-time rescheduling waiver. This special waiver also helps defense personnel with defense fare tickets, letting them reschedule flights that were to happen until May 31, 2025, without having to pay extra fees. For people flying to or from Amritsar, Gwalior, Jammu, Srinagar, and Hindon, you can either get a full refund or reschedule your ticket for free until the airline gives new information.
How can you take advantage of Air India’s refund process?
- Go to the Manage Booking section on the official Air India website or use their online “Chat with Tia” bot.
- Pick the Cancel and Refund option and follow the simple prompts.
- Refunds are usually processed in 7-14 working days.
Should you need help or want to talk to a person, you can also reach Air India’s Contact Centre by calling 011-69329333 or 011-69329999. Having several ways to request a refund or reschedule a flight helps lower stress, especially when so many people are looking for answers during a fast-changing situation.
IndiGo’s Waiver and Refund Policy
IndiGo, another large airline in India 🇮🇳, canceled about 170 flights, including many international routes to countries such as Thailand 🇹🇭, United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪 (Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai), and the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. IndiGo has shown flexibility by allowing passengers to make changes or cancel bookings with no extra fee for flights to and from Srinagar. This waiver covers travel until May 22, 2025, for tickets booked by April 22, 2025. Any IndiGo booking made on or before May 8, 2025, also qualifies for a waiver if you are set to travel by May 22, 2025.
What is the refund process with IndiGo?
- Visit their Plan B page.
- Enter your booking reference (PNR) and either your email address or last name.
- Choose if you want to change your date or time or cancel for a refund.
This online approach gives customers a direct way to fix their travel plans without needing to spend long hours on hold with customer service.
SpiceJet’s Support for Passengers
SpiceJet has grounded about 35 flights, with many flights to places like Leh, Srinagar, Jammu, Dharamshala, Kandla, and Amritsar canceled until May 10, 2025, at 5:29 AM. To help travelers, the airline has created a refund policy for people on the affected routes.
Here is the SpiceJet refund process in simple steps:
- Go to the Change Booking page.
- Put in your booking code (PNR) along with your email or last name.
- Click “Retrieve Booking” to see if your flight is affected.
- Pick a full refund or switch to another flight, both with no extra charge.
For people who would rather speak to customer service, SpiceJet can be reached any time at +91 124 4983410 or +91 124 7101600.
These efforts show that Indian airlines are putting passengers first, giving them options instead of leaving them stranded.
Support from Online Agencies
In addition to the airlines, online travel agents like Ixigo have stepped up to help. Ixigo released a statement agreeing to refund both the ticket price and any convenience fees for users whose flights were canceled due to airport closures. For many travelers, this removes the worry about hidden fees or hassles when seeking a refund.
Financial Strain on Indian Airlines
While these refund and rescheduling plans are good news for passengers, they come at a considerable cost for airlines. An HSBC Global research report puts the total daily loss for Indian airlines at about Rs 30 crore—a huge blow given how important these routes are for business.
Breaking down the numbers:
– IndiGo: 8.5% of its planes are affected, costing about Rs 16.6 crore per day in lost revenue and Rs 7 crore in daily loss after accounting for expenses.
– Air India: 18% of flights stopped, causing a Rs 10.5 crore revenue loss every day and Rs 5 crore in daily loss after expenses.
– SpiceJet: 26% of its flights suspended, with a Rs 2.3 crore loss in revenue and Rs 1.5 crore in daily operating losses.
This crisis shows how a regional conflict can quickly affect entire industries. The longer these bans last, the bigger the gap grows between what airlines spend and what they earn. Airlines have to refund large numbers of tickets, pay staff, maintain planes that are not flying, and deal with disappointed passengers.
The Refund Process: What Passengers Need to Know
No matter which airline you booked with, it’s important to know how their refund process works. Airlines are using clear steps and online systems so travelers aren’t left in the dark. Here are some tips for making the process smooth:
- Go straight to the airline’s official site for refunds or rescheduling—do not trust unofficial links from emails or texts
- Have your booking number (PNR), email address, and flight details ready
- Use available customer helplines if you have questions or face problems
- Check if your online travel agent (like Ixigo) will give back the full amount, including service fees
Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet each include extra information on their own sites, with step-by-step guides and phone support. You can learn more by visiting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) India page, which shares the rules airlines follow concerning passenger rights and refunds.
If there’s a delay in your refund (most are processed within 7-14 business days for Air India, for example), you should keep your original booking details and any emails for your records. If you don’t get a reply or your issue isn’t solved, reaching out to India’s DGCA may provide further help.
Impact on Passengers, Workers, and Businesses
Passengers
For travelers, the most obvious impact is the sudden change in their plans, leading to stress and some financial worry. Students flying home, people visiting family, business travelers, and even medical patients who need trips for hospital visits are all affected. Having a clear refund process and fee waivers gives some comfort, but not everyone will be able to find new flights or get to their destinations on time.
Airlines and Staff
Flight attendants, pilots, ground staff, and booking agents face uncertain working conditions during such bans. Airlines must balance two things at once: taking care of customer needs and controlling their own financial health, often with less money coming in. The India-Pakistan conflict reminds everyone that airline jobs and services are closely tied to wider, unpredictable events.
Travel Agencies and Partners
Agencies like Ixigo are refunding both ticket prices and service charges, setting a fair example for others. However, these businesses also rely on a steady flow of travelers, so long shutdowns can hit their profits and slow down the travel industry as a whole.
Larger Context: The India-Pakistan Conflict and Air Travel
Operation Sindoor and the resulting flight bans are a stark reminder of how quickly travel plans can change due to events outside our control. Airspace is a sensitive zone, and both passenger safety and national security take top priority during tensions between countries. The decision to close so many airports was made to protect lives, but the move has disrupted travel for large numbers of people.
VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that when major tensions arise between countries, airspace restrictions can last for days or even weeks. Airlines have to follow these decisions—there’s no option to ignore government directives, even at huge financial cost. This situation also puts pressure on neighboring countries’ travel systems, reroutes planes, and forces airlines to make quick decisions that affect thousands.
What Travelers Should Do Next
If your flight was canceled or rescheduled because of the India-Pakistan conflict, here are practical suggestions:
- Keep checking the airline’s official website for regular updates on the airport closures and refund process.
- Start your refund or flight change request right away—airlines are busiest during these times, so early action speeds things up.
- Save all email confirmation, receipts, and booking numbers to help solve any future disputes.
- For future bookings, consider buying flexible, refundable fare classes, especially when traveling to areas where conflicts might arise.
Long-Term Impacts and What to Expect
The main, immediate effect is the disruption of travel for thousands of people, loss of business, and uncertainty for airline staff. But there may also be longer-term effects:
- Airlines might be forced to rethink their routes or increase ticket prices to cover for huge losses.
- Passengers may become more cautious when booking flights to conflict-prone areas, reducing demand in those regions.
- Government agencies may introduce new rules about refunds and compensation during emergencies to protect travelers.
Extra safety measures and quick refund processes could become standard across the industry, especially in regions that are often affected by conflicts.
Addressing Common Questions and Concerns
How do I know if my flight is eligible for a full refund under the airline’s new policy?
You can find this information on the airline’s official site or through their call center. The policy is generally based on which airport you were traveling from or to, and your booking date.
Will I get a refund for service fees and add-ons (like seat selection or baggage fees)?
Many airlines have promised full refunds, but you should confirm with your airline or travel agency. For example, Ixigo announced reimbursement of convenience fees for affected users.
How long will it take to get my money back?
Each airline states a timeline. Most, like Air India, say 7–14 working days. If your refund takes longer, contact customer care for a status update.
Can I reschedule instead of canceling, and will I have to pay more?
If your flight was canceled because of the airport closures, you usually can pick an alternate flight at no extra cost. Check the full details for your specific route and airline.
Summary: Facing a Tough Challenge with Clarity
The India-Pakistan conflict has deeply affected air travel in the region, with airlines like Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet bearing heavy financial losses as they put traveler safety and comfort first. By explaining and streamlining the refund process, these companies are trying to reduce passenger stress at a confusing time. The cooperation between airlines, online travel agencies, and government bodies like the DGCA helps protect travelers’ rights even during international emergencies.
Travelers affected by flight suspensions should act quickly, make use of the refund and rescheduling tools offered, and keep their documents safe until their money has been returned. As flight services slowly resume after May 10, 2025, and as more updates become available, passengers and airline staff alike should keep looking for new information from trusted, official sources.
For those planning to fly in future, keeping a close eye on news, being flexible, and picking refund-friendly tickets can go a long way. The hope is that with clear guidelines and support, travelers will be able to trust airlines in tough times. For more details, passengers can always refer to official resources like India’s DGCA.
The situation continues to develop, but the key priorities remain the safety of flyers and ensuring every passenger, no matter which airline they chose, gets the fair treatment they deserve.
Learn Today
Operation Sindoor → A military operation launched on May 7, 2025, leading to airport closures in several regions of India for security reasons.
Refund Process → The set of steps established by airlines for customers to request and receive money back on canceled flights.
Waiver → A policy by which airlines remove fees or charges, such as those for changing or rescheduling flights, during emergencies.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) → India’s regulatory body that oversees airline operations, safety, and passenger rights, especially during emergencies.
Convenience Fee → An extra charge added by airlines or travel agencies for providing booking or customer service, often refunded during mass cancellations.
This Article in a Nutshell
India’s airspace shutdown due to the India-Pakistan conflict disrupted thousands of passengers’ plans. Airlines like Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet responded with flexible refunds and waivers. Passengers should use official channels, act quickly, and save documents. The industry faces significant financial loss, highlighting the unpredictability of geopolitical events for travelers.
— By VisaVerge.com
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