Operation Sindoor: Flight ops suspended in North India after strikes on Pakistan terror camps

Air strikes by Indian forces across Pakistan and Pakistan- occupied Kashmir trigger widespread flight cancellations in Northern India, impacting travel to sensitive border states.

This came as a precautionary measure after Indian forces launched air strikes at 9 locations across Pakistan and PoK targeting terror launch pads early on 7 May.

Flight operations to Dharamshala, Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Bhuj, and Amritsar have been disrupted, with major carriers—including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Air India Express—issuing advisories and cancelling flights amid heightened security concerns.

Air India has extended its flight cancellations following new directives from aviation authorities. Flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot will remain suspended till 05:29 IST on 10 May, the airline said in an updated advisory.

“We are offering a full refund or free rescheduling for our flights to and from Amritsar, Gwalior, Jammu, Srinagar and Hindon until 05:30hrs on 10th May 2025,” the airline said.

This follows an official notification regarding the continued closure of airports in sensitive northern and western regions, as part of heightened security protocols following India's air strikes.

Tata Sons low-cost carrier Air India Express informed passengers that flights to and from Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, and Hindon have been affected. 

Also read: Operation Sindoor: What we know of India's strike on Pakistan terror bases after Pahalgam attack

IndiGo has also cancelled flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Gwalior, Kishangarh, and Rajkot till 05:29 AM on 10 May, citing changes in airspace conditions. The airline is offering passengers the option to reschedule or seek a refund.

IndiGo operates between 16-25 daily flights, Air India operates around 25 daily flights, SpiceJet operates between 20-23 daily flights to the affected airports. IndiGo alone has cancelled over 165 flights in light of the airspace restrictions.

Budget carrier SpiceJet has also informed passengers about disruptions in flights to Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar and Amritsar are closed until further notice.

Queries sent to the Ministry of Civil Aviation on the overall impact on operations have yet to elicit a response.

Notice To Airmen 

On Tuesday, Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued a NOTAM regarding an air exercise by the Indian airforce. The NOTAM is applicable for May 7 and 8 in Rajasthan and other areas close to the international border with Pakistan.

Last week, the government had also issued a NOTAM restricting usage of Indian airspace by Pakistan operated or registered aircraft.

North, West airports closed

Following the airstrikes, civil flight operations have been suspended with immediate effect at several key airports in North and West India. The full list of affected airports includes:

Leh (IXL)

Thois (THW)

Srinagar (SXR)

Jammu (IXJ)

Amritsar (ATQ)

Pathankot (IXP)

Chandigarh (IXC)

Jodhpur (JDH)

Jaisalmer (JSA)

Jamnagar (JGA)

Bhatinda (BUP)

Bhuj (BHJ)

Dharamshala (DHM)

Shimla (SLV)

Rajkot (RAJ)

Porbandar (PBD)

Most of these are located in proximity to the international border with Pakistan, underscoring the elevated security alert in the region.