Key Takeaways
• 32 Indian airports reopened after May 10, 2025 ceasefire in India-Pak conflict.
• About 1,500 flights were cancelled, disrupting domestic and international travelers.
• IndiGo waives change and cancellation fees for affected airports through May 22, 2025.
The reopening of 32 airports across northern and western regions of India 🇮🇳 marks a turning point after a costly and stressful period for both travelers and the aviation industry. The airports were shut down in the days following “Operation Sindoor,” a military action that sharply escalated the ongoing India-Pak conflict. The move to unblock the airports comes after a ceasefire between India 🇮🇳 and Pakistan 🇵🇰 was agreed on Saturday, May 10, 2025, giving people on both sides a chance to breathe easier. VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals how this development is impacting air travel, the reasons behind the closures, and what passengers need to know as flights come back online.
Why Were the Airports Closed?
The decision to shut down 32 airports was not made lightly. On April 22, a terrorist attack occurred in Pahalgam. The attack claimed the lives of 26 Indian tourists and a citizen from Nepal 🇳🇵. In response, Indian forces began “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, carrying out targeted strikes on nine terror locations inside Pakistan 🇵🇰. This sudden escalation of the India-Pak conflict led to soaring tensions along the borders.
At first, 24 airports were ordered to close, mostly ones near the border or those that could serve both military and civilian planes. By the next day, the list grew to 32, as the situation intensified, and Pakistan responded with drone and missile strikes against Indian military targets. The Airports Authority of India acted quickly, sending out Notices to Airmen—these are messages that alert airlines, pilots, and airport workers about changes that affect flight safety.
The initial plan was to keep airports closed until May 10, but as tensions did not calm quickly, authorities extended the closure until May 15. This led to a widespread halt of all flights in and out of the affected airports, causing thousands of travel plans to be cancelled or changed.
Operation Sindoor: The Trigger
The operation code-named “Operation Sindoor” was India’s direct response to the attack in Pahalgam. The government described these as “precision strikes,” meaning they were carefully carried out to target terror sites, not civilians. Officials said they hit nine separate targets. These actions, in turn, set off a chain reaction. With Pakistan 🇵🇰 launching its own drone and missile attacks, both countries saw a sharp increase in military activity.
Because many airports in the northern and western states of India 🇮🇳 are used for both military and public flights, they became important in military planning. Authorities closed them to keep civilians safe and to give the military free use of the airspace if needed.
This is not the first time such steps have been necessary, but the scale of this closure was much larger than most previous events, reflecting the seriousness of the India-Pak conflict. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this affected not just travel but also business, the movement of goods, and the daily lives of thousands.
The Role of the Airports Authority of India
The Airports Authority of India, which manages the widest network of airports in the country, was a central player during the crisis. On May 12, it issued new Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), this time announcing the airports could reopen right away rather than waiting until May 15 as first planned. This move reflected changing conditions on the ground—specifically, what the military described as “the first calm night in recent days,” due to the ceasefire.
The work of the Airports Authority of India is critical not just during conflicts, but in regular times as well. Their responsibilities include keeping airports safe, deciding who can land or take off, and managing any emergency that could impact flights. You can read more about the scope of their duties on the official Airports Authority of India website.
The List: Which Airports Are Now Open?
The following 32 airports are now open to flights again. These include both large, well-known airports and smaller ones located close to border areas or in remote regions. Here’s the full list:
- 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
- Uttarlai
Many of these airports—like Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, and Srinagar—are important for both military operations and public air travel. Others, like Bhuj, Jaisalmer, or Pathankot, serve as lifelines for remote towns and connect them with bigger cities.
Impact on Air Travel and Passengers
The shutdown of these airports had a strong effect on thousands of people. During the closure, about 1,500 scheduled flights were cancelled. This did not just impact tourists or business travelers, but also families wanting to return home, students traveling for exams, and even cargo flights carrying goods.
Most of the airports on the list are based at military airfields, which means they usually handle fewer commercial flights compared to airports like Delhi or Mumbai. But even so, the cancellations caused headaches for airlines and passengers alike.
Airlines have now started flying on these routes again, but the process is not instant. IndiGo, which is India’s biggest airline by number of flights, told customers that flights would “progressively commence” as staff, planes, and resources are moved back to normal. The airline also cautioned travelers that there may still be some delays and last-minute changes while the situation returns to normal.
If you’re planning a trip soon that includes one of these airports, the key message is to stay flexible. It’s a good idea to check your flight directly with the airline—either on their website or through their customer care numbers. Don’t rely solely on airport announcements, as airlines may make day-to-day changes as the backlog of flights clears.
IndiGo also said it would continue waiving change and cancellation fees for flights to or from the affected airports until May 22, giving passengers added peace of mind if their plans have been disrupted.
The Bigger Picture: India-Pak Conflict and Airspace Safety
Closing airports in times of conflict is not unique to India 🇮🇳 or Pakistan 🇵🇰. Countries around the world use airspace closures as a safety measure during periods of military action. The director general of civil aviation in India 🇮🇳 noted that with tensions running high during the India-Pak conflict, closing airports near the border helps protect both passengers and flight crews.
Such closures also free up airspace for possible defense actions and make it less likely that a civilian plane will get caught up in military operations. The decision to shut the airports reflected both the scale of military preparations and a desire to keep the public out of harm’s way.
Experts point out that airports located in border states like Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Jammu-Kashmir often fall under special rules, as their airfields could be needed for the military at short notice. This is why you often see such facilities closed not just during international standoffs, but even during internal military exercises or emergencies.
How Have Travelers Been Affected?
For travelers, perhaps the biggest impact was the uncertainty. Many people booked tickets not knowing if they’d be able to fly, while others got stuck in cities far from home. Some had to reroute their journeys through alternative airports, leading to crowded flights and higher ticket prices. In some cases, people simply cancelled or delayed important travel, waiting for a safer time to journey.
Travel advisories from the Airports Authority of India and various airlines have been clear in recommending that passengers:
- Check flight status often, both by email and directly on the airline’s website
- Allow extra time when traveling to the airport, as systems and schedules may still be catching up
- Consider making flexible bookings, as delays and last-minute changes could still happen while normal operations resume
Some communities were even cut off by the closures, especially those in more isolated border towns. Here, air links are often the quickest way to access important medical care or connect with major business centers. Restoring these routes means a welcome return to normal life for many.
What About Immigration and Foreign Travelers?
When airports close, it’s not just Indian citizens who are affected. The India-Pak conflict and the airport shutdowns also made things harder for foreigners, including tourists, business visitors, and workers with international assignments. Many saw their plans thrown into disarray, with visas potentially expiring and connections missed.
This, in turn, affects embassies and immigration offices, which can get overwhelmed by requests for visa extensions, changes to travel documents, and queries about when it will be safe to resume travel. Airlines and travel agents likewise receive a surge in questions and requests for rescheduling.
For anyone dealing with immigration or visa issues due to these sudden flight changes, it’s important to contact both your airline and the embassy of your home country. Some embassies can provide updates or assistance in emergency situations.
What’s Next for Airports in India?
With the situation now calmer and a ceasefire in place following the India-Pak conflict, the airports are back in service. However, experts warn that the flight schedule could still take a few days to normalize. Passengers should expect some lines at security and check-in as airlines work through the backlog of delayed or cancelled flights.
The Airports Authority of India will continue to monitor the situation closely. In the meantime, travelers, airline staff, and military personnel alike hope the return to everyday flying will last. The restoration of normal air travel is not just a technical matter. It’s a signal that life, commerce, and cross-border relations are returning to a more peaceful footing—at least for now.
Key Takeaways
- India 🇮🇳 and Pakistan 🇵🇰 agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, 2025, after weeks of tension and violence.
- The Airports Authority of India was central in shutting, and then reopening, 32 airports across northern and western India 🇮🇳.
- Operation Sindoor was the trigger—a direct military response to a major terror attack that changed travel plans for thousands.
- Around 1,500 flights were cancelled, affecting both domestic and foreign travelers.
- Airlines like IndiGo are now slowly resuming flights to the affected airports with warnings of possible delays.
- For now, air travel is back, but passengers should keep checking updates and remain patient as services stabilize.
For readers needing the latest updates on Indian airport operations or rules around air travel in times of conflict, it’s best to check official sources as well as trusted sites like VisaVerge.com for responsible and verified reporting. Responsible travelers can also follow government advisories to stay informed about changes that may affect their journeys.
With the reopening of these 32 airports, India’s aviation industry hopes to put this chapter behind it and rebuild trust with travelers while always keeping safety the top priority.
Learn Today
Operation Sindoor → A military action by India on May 7, 2025, targeting terrorism in Pakistan after a fatal attack in Pahalgam.
Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) → Official alerts from aviation authorities to inform pilots and airlines about important changes affecting flight safety and operations.
Airports Authority of India → Government agency managing India’s civilian and some military airports, key in decisions during aviation crises or security events.
Ceasefire → An official halt to hostilities, here referring to the agreement between India and Pakistan on May 10, 2025.
IndiGo → India’s largest airline by number of flights, highly impacted by airport closures and responsible for updating passengers about operations.
This Article in a Nutshell
Thirty-two airports across northern and western India reopened after a tense India-Pak conflict, signaled by a ceasefire on May 10, 2025. Thousands faced flight cancellations and disruptions during the closure. As operations resume, airlines urge passengers to confirm travel details and be flexible until normalcy returns across all affected airports.
— By VisaVerge.com
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• Indian Airports Shut Down in Dramatic ‘Operation Sindoor’
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• IndiGo Scrambles as Airports Leave Flyers Stranded
• Lahore Airport reopens as Pakistan Airports Authority resumes flights
