32 airports shut until May 15 as cross-border tensions escalate
In light of rising tensions in the border, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced a significant move to enhance aviation safety, suspending civilian flight operations at 32 airports across northern and western India until May 15, 2025.
The directive comes as a precautionary response to the evolving security situation, and for the security of people.
The suspension affects several major and regional airports, including Leh, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jaipur, and Bikaner, among others. The move has caused considerable disruption to domestic air travel, with hundreds of flights cancelled or rerouted. Alongside airport closures, the DGCA has also suspended 25 Air Traffic Service (ATS) route segments within the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions (FIRs), impacting not just Indian carriers but also several international airlines that fly through Indian airspace.
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These developments follow a sharp military escalation, with the other side reportedly launching drone attacks on military targets in Indian territory in retaliation for India's strikes on alleged terrorist camps. The heightened tension has made certain air routes unsafe for civilian aircraft, prompting regulatory bodies to act swiftly in the interest of passenger safety.
Airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, Vistara, and SpiceJet have issued travel advisories, cancelling operations to the affected airports and offering full refunds or free rescheduling for passengers.
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International airlines including United Airlines, Lufthansa, and Korean Air have rerouted flights to avoid Indian and Pakistani airspace, resulting in longer travel times and increased operational costs.
At Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, operations continue, but with heightened security and a travel advisory in place. Passengers are urged to arrive early, expect potential delays, and stay updated via official airline communication channels.
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The DGCA and the Ministry of Civil Aviation are closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with defense and intelligence agencies. As the security environment remains volatile, authorities may extend or modify current restrictions based on real-time assessments.
Passengers scheduled to fly in or out of the affected regions are strongly advised to check flight statuses regularly and stay in touch with airline support services.
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