Delhi Airport cancels 60 domestic flights due to heightened security

Key Takeaways

• Delhi Airport cancelled 60 domestic flights and delayed over 200 others on May 10, 2025.
• 32 regional airports closed until May 15 due to increased India-Pakistan tensions and security concerns.
• International flights at Delhi continued without cancellations; strict security checks caused longer processing times for passengers.

On May 10, 2025, travelers at Delhi Airport faced unexpected and major disruptions. At least 60 domestic flights were cancelled at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), one of the busiest airports in India 🇮🇳. This incident unfolded between the early morning hours and about 3:00 pm, leaving many passengers uncertain about their journeys. The cause? Tensions between India 🇮🇳 and neighboring Pakistan 🇵🇰, which led to swift changes in flight operations and even the closure of several airports in the region.

What Happened at Delhi Airport?

The day started with regular operations, but as the morning progressed, news began to spread about multiple flight cancellations. By afternoon, Delhi Airport had cancelled 30 departing and 30 arriving domestic flights. While this did not impact international flights, it left hundreds, possibly thousands, of travelers searching for answers.

Delhi Airport, officially managed by Delhi International Airport Ltd, is a major hub for domestic and international travel in India 🇮🇳. It connects not only every corner of the country with the capital but also serves as a gateway for international traffic. The disruptions on May 10 were especially surprising because, despite big operational changes, international flights kept running on schedule. The primary effect was on domestic flights.

Why Were Flights Cancelled?

The sudden wave of cancellations was not due to technical problems or bad weather. The main reason was increased military tension between India 🇮🇳 and Pakistan 🇵🇰. In response to heightened security worries and precautionary steps, Indian authorities made significant changes to airspace management and airport security. According to official news reports, these changes included:

• Stricter airspace control to avoid any risks or mistakes near the border regions.
• Closure of at least 32 airports in northern and western India 🇮🇳 to all civilian flight operations until at least May 15, 2025.
• Shifting of flight routes, which put extra burden on Delhi Airport’s already busy domestic flight schedules.
• Longer and stricter security checks that slowed down passenger processing.

The 32 affected airports—such as Srinagar, Amritsar, Jammu, Leh, and Chandigarh—are strategic locations close to the border, and so played a key role in flight route changes. With these sites out of operation, airlines had to cancel or reroute many domestic flights, and Delhi Airport felt the brunt of this rerouting and increased load.

Impact on Passengers: What Did Travelers Face?

For many travelers, the announcement came with little warning. With 60 immediate cancellations and hundreds more flights delayed, the chaos was widespread. According to reports, around 200 flights at IGIA were delayed in addition to the cancellations.

Passengers Experienced:

• Unexpected cancellations of both their departing and arriving flights.
• Last-minute changes, creating stress and confusion for those with urgent travel needs.
• Much longer processing times at the airport due to enhanced security checks. Some travelers were told to arrive at least three hours before departure to handle these new checks.
• Longer lines and wait times at check-in, baggage screening, and boarding because of the increased scrutiny.

Airlines and airport authorities advised all travelers heading to or from Delhi Airport to:

• Double-check their flight status before coming to the airport.
• Arrive much earlier than usual.
• Follow all advisories posted by airlines and government agencies.

These steps aimed to reduce crowding and help passengers adapt to the new situation, but the sudden nature of the changes meant many still faced delays and confusion.

How Were Airports Operating? Security and Safety Measures

Security became the top priority as soon as the situation developed. Every airport in the affected region increased its security presence and procedures, but at Delhi Airport, the changes were most visible.

• More Security Staff: The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) called in extra staff to help manage the situation, improving oversight of passenger and cargo movement.
• Secondary Ladder Point Checks (SLPC): This means every passenger had to go through another check (after passing through the regular security) just before boarding the aircraft.
• Tighter Baggage Screening: All luggage, including checked-in bags, was screened more thoroughly.
• Visitor Entry Restrictions: To avoid crowding and keep control, entry into terminal buildings was either limited or fully banned for visitors. Only passengers with valid tickets were allowed inside.
• Greater Watch on Cargo Operations: Cargo also got extra checks under the new safety standards.

These changes led to longer wait times, but officials stressed that the goal was to keep all travelers safe.

Official Statements and What Airlines Said

In the midst of confusion, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) made an official statement to clear up the situation:
“Delhi Airport operations are running smoothly as usual. However, due to evolving airspace conditions and enhanced security measures…some flight schedules may be impacted and security processing times could be longer.”

This statement was to reassure the public that while cancelled flights and delays were a problem, the airport remained open and functional for most travelers. The message was clear—operations were as normal as possible, but new risks meant rapid changes could happen.

The Scale of Disruption: Numbers and Data

To understand how serious the situation was, it’s important to look at the numbers:
– 60 domestic flights cancelled at Delhi Airport in less than 12 hours.
– Over 200 flights delayed within the same time frame.
– 32 airports in northern and western India 🇮🇳 closed to civilian flights until May 15, sending more flights to Delhi and increasing domestic congestion.
– Zero international cancellations reported from Delhi Airport as of May 10.

With such a large number of cancelled and delayed flights, Delhi Airport had to handle more passengers stuck in limbo, all while dealing with tighter safety rules.

Why Did This Happen? Broader Context of India-Pakistan Tensions

Flights in India 🇮🇳 are often affected by weather or equipment problems, but this time, the trigger was geopolitical tension. With reports of military activity near the India-Pakistan border, the government moved fast to keep the skies safe. By closing airports close to the border, India 🇮🇳 hoped to reduce risks for civilian flights. Delhi Airport remained open, but the sudden extra demand meant more delays and stress for passengers.

The situation highlights how changes in politics and military activity can have quick and direct effects on passenger travel. It’s a reminder that air travel in India 🇮🇳, and in many other countries, can be swept up in wider national events at any time.

What Should Passengers Do Now?

For travelers planning to fly from Delhi Airport or any of the affected airports in north India 🇮🇳 in the coming days, it’s important to:

• Keep checking with your airline for the latest updates.
• Arrive at the airport much earlier than usual (at least three hours before your flight).
• Make sure you have all documents and identification ready, as checks are stricter.
• Avoid bringing guests into the terminal unless absolutely necessary.
• Stay up to date by visiting official government and airport websites.

You can find detailed and official guidance on current security procedures at the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s website.

Immediate and Long-Term Effects: What Happens Next?

Short-Term Effects

The immediate impact is clear: more travelers are facing delays, changes in schedules, and last-minute cancellations. Delhi Airport, even as it remained open, became much more crowded with people whose flights from neighboring airports had been redirected. Because security checks have become more strict and take more time, lines have grown, and some people have missed flights even when they arrived on time.

Some passengers have already shared stories of missing connections or spending hours at the airport waiting for news, only to have their plans cancelled at the last moment.

Possible Long-Term Outcomes

If tensions between India 🇮🇳 and Pakistan 🇵🇰 continue or get worse, it’s possible that:

• More airports might be closed to civilian flights, or closures may last longer than planned.
• Further cancellations of domestic flights—possibly even some international flights—could happen if safety risks remain high.
• Airlines may change ticket policies to offer more flexibility, such as easier rebooking or refunds.
• Security at major Indian airports could stay at the current higher level for a long time, affecting how people travel and work at airports.

Effects on Stakeholders

• Travelers: The biggest effect is on passengers, who have to deal with stress, unexpected costs, and uncertainty.
• Airlines: Carriers are losing revenue due to mass cancellations and are working against tight schedules to keep passengers informed and flights running.
• Delhi Airport and Airport Staff: Extra pressure on staff and infrastructure as they try to maintain normal operations while dealing with more people, more restrictions, and more flight changes.
• Other airports in India 🇮🇳: Rerouted domestic flights mean more stress on alternate hubs like Mumbai and Bangalore, which could also see delays.
• Businesses and Tourism: Business travelers and tourists may have to put off or cancel trips, causing ripple effects for hotels, transportation companies, and related industries.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these broad impacts make the situation at Delhi Airport a key issue for everyone involved in air travel in India 🇮🇳 right now.

Official Guidance and Resources

Delhi Airport and airlines continue to communicate with passengers through all channels—websites, social media, and airport announcements. If you are traveling soon, monitor updates on the official Delhi International Airport website and keep an eye on advisories from your airline.

You can also get up-to-date information on airport status, closures, and passenger safety steps at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, India (DGCA).

Balanced Perspective: How Do Different People See the Situation?

While the government’s steps have focused on keeping air travel safe, some passengers and travel experts have raised concerns. For instance, some people have questioned whether all the airport closures are necessary, or if they might be too broad and cause more trouble than needed.

Others say that safety and security have to come first when military tensions rise, and understand why sudden, big changes—to flights, airport access, and checks—were needed. Airlines and airport staff have mostly supported the official guidance but have also asked passengers to show patience and allow for unexpected changes.

Summary Table: Fast Facts

What’s Next for Delhi Airport and Indian Air Travel?

Travel in India 🇮🇳 operates at the mercy of many unseen factors—politics, international relations, infrastructure, and security needs. The May 10 incident at Delhi Airport shows just how quickly things can change, and how necessary it is for travelers, airlines, and airport staff to work together when trouble comes.

If the current situation improves and military tensions calm down, closed airports may reopen soon, and domestic flights from Delhi Airport and across India 🇮🇳 could get back to normal. Until then, staying informed, being ready for last-minute changes, and understanding that these steps are for everyone’s safety will help make air travel a little less stressful.

For more updates on air travel and immigration matters in India 🇮🇳, always refer to trusted sources and official websites. Every traveler’s best tool now is the latest information and a good amount of patience while flying out of Delhi Airport or any region affected by these changes.

Learn Today

Airspace Management → Coordinating how and when flights use specific sky regions to ensure safety, especially crucial during security threats.
Secondary Ladder Point Checks (SLPC) → Additional security inspection performed right before passengers board their aircraft, supplementing standard airport security procedures.
Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) → Indian government agency responsible for enforcing civil aviation safety, especially during incidents and heightened risks.
Rerouted Flights → Flights changed from their original route, often due to airport closures, security threats, or airspace restrictions.
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) → Delhi’s main airport, one of India’s busiest hubs for both domestic and international air travel.

This Article in a Nutshell

On May 10, 2025, Delhi Airport faced chaos: 60 domestic flights were cancelled and over 200 delayed. Heightened tensions with Pakistan sparked security concerns, forcing airport closures in northern India. Passengers endured long waits and confusion, while international flights continued as normal. Safety measures prioritized protection amid regional instability.
— By VisaVerge.com

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