Operation Sindoor: 32 airports in India to be closed till May 15 - check full list; Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet cancel flights - know latest travel advisory for passengers

Operation Sindoor impact on air travel: Amidst escalating India-Pakistan tensions, as many as 32 airports will remain closed for civil flights till May 15 morning as per the latest directions from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Air India and IndiGo have shared on X (formerly Twitter) that their flights to some airports will continue to remain cancelled. The closure, effective until 05:29 hours of May 15, affects major airports including Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bhuntar, Kishengarh, Patiala, Shimla, Dharamsala, and Bathinda. Additional airports impacted by this temporary suspension include strategic locations such as Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Leh, Bikaner, Pathankot, Jammu, Jamnagar, and Bhuj.The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and relevant aviation authorities have issued a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) announcing the temporary closure of 32 airports across northern and western India for all civil flight operations, effective from 9th to 14th May 2025 (which corresponds to 0529 IST on 15th May 2025), due to operational reasons. Operation Sindoor impact: Full List of Airports ClosedThe following airports are affected by this NOTAM: Below is a full list of airports that are shut:All civil flight activities at these airports will remain suspended during this period.Important Update from AirlinesAir IndiaIn its latest post on X, Air India said, "Following a notification from aviation authorities on continued closure of multiple airports in India, Air India flights to and from the following stations – Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Bhuj, Jamnagar and Rajkot – are being cancelled till 0529 hrs IST on 15 May, pending further updates.""Customers holding valid tickets for travel during this period will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling charges or a full refund for cancellations. For more information, please call our Contact Centre on 011-69329333 / 011-69329999 or visit our website."IndiGoIndigo also put out a travel advisory saying that flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Rajkot, Jodhpur, and Kishangarh airports will remain cancelled till 0529 hrs IST on 15 May.SpicejetSpiceJet shared on X, “Due to the ongoing situation, our flights to and from Leh (IXL), Srinagar (SXR), Jammu (IXJ), Dharamshala (DHM), Kandla (IXY), Amritsar (ATQ), and Porbandar (PBD) are cancelled till 15th May’25 up to 0529 hrs. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may cause to our valued passengers and appreciate your understanding. For re-bookings and refunds, please contact our 24/7 Helpline Numbers at +91 (0)124 4983410 / +91 (0)124 7101600.”Air India Express - no fresh update"Due to notification from the airport authorities, flights to and from Amritsar, Gwalior, Jammu, Srinagar and Hindon are cancelled till 05.30 hrs on 10th May 2025," Air India Express said in a post on X. The airline is offering full refunds on cancellations and a one-time waiver for rescheduling flights up to 30 June 2025 for defence personnel holding special fares, whose bookings are on Air India and Air India Express flights until 31 May 2025.This initiative is designed to support their duty commitments during the prevailing situation.Enhanced Security Checks At AirportsMeanwhile, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has instructed all airlines and airports across the country to enhance security measures.“All passengers at all airports will undergo Secondary Ladder Point Check (SLPC). Visitor entry to terminal buildings has been banned. Air Marshal will be deployed accordingly,” the Ministry of Civil Aviation has reportedly said.In view of the latest advisory, airlines have asked passengers to reach airports well ahead of the scheduled departure of flights. Air India shared on X (formerly Twitter), “In view of an order by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security on enhanced measures at airports, passengers across India are advised to arrive at their respective airports at least three hours prior to scheduled departure to ensure smooth check-in and boarding.Check-in closes 75 mins before departure.”Spicejet shared on X, "In light of enhanced security measures across all airports, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure to ensure a smooth check-in and boarding process."AkasaAir also issued a travel advisory saying, "Due to enhanced security measures at all airports across India, we request you to reach the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure, to ensure a seamless check-in and boarding experience. Please ensure you carry valid government-approved photo identification documents for entry to the airport. In addition to your check-in baggage, only one handbag weighing upto 7 kgs will be permitted.As per regulatory guidelines, all passengers will be required to undergo secondary security checks before boarding..."Hundreds of flights of airlines like IndiGo, Air India, Spicejet, Akasa Air, Air India Express have been cancelled and rescheduled. Airlines have suggested that passengers check the flight status before heading for the airports. Whilst Delhi airport continues its regular operations, airlines cancelled 138 flights on Friday. According to a source, between 5 am and 2 pm on Friday, there were 66 domestic departure cancellations, 63 domestic arrival cancellations, along with 5 international departure and 4 international arrival cancellations.Mumbai International Airport has released a travel advisory considering the present circumstances in the nation.bWhile the airport continues its regular operations, passengers should anticipate extended waiting periods due to heightened security measures. Travellers are advised to allocate additional time for their journey to the airport and ensure early arrival to account for the increased duration of security screening procedures.No visitors at airports: The BCAS has also issued enhanced security protocols on Thursday, restricting visitor access to airport terminal buildings and implementing mandatory secondary ladder point checks for all flights. The new regulations prohibit visitors from entering airport terminal buildings and suspend the sale of visitor entry tickets. Additional requirements include ensuring all airport CCTV systems are fully operational and deploying in-flight security personnel based on priority and random selection.1. Till when are some airports in north, north-western India shut?As per the advisory issued, 32 airports will be closed for commercial flights. But since this is an evolving situation, it is important to check your flight status post that as well.2. Which airports are closed for flights till May 15?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, and Uttarlai.3. What is the latest travel advisory for passengers?Airlines have asked passengers to reach airports much ahead of the scheduled departure to take into account the extra level of security checks.