The Impressive TimesNew Delhi : In the wake of the Indian Armed Forces’ launch of ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), multiple airports across northern India have been temporarily closed for commercial operations, leading to widespread travel disruptions.
The precautionary closures come amid heightened security concerns following India’s late-night precision airstrikes on nine terror launch pads across the Line of Control. The Ministry of Defence stated that the operation was in response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which killed 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen.
As a direct consequence, several airlines including SpiceJet, IndiGo, and Air India have either suspended or significantly curtailed operations at key northern airports.
SpiceJet, in a social media post, announced that commercial flight operations have been suspended at airports in Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar until further notice.
IndiGo, India’s largest airline, issued a travel advisory urging passengers to check real-time flight status before heading to affected airports, citing temporary airspace restrictions.
Air India took broader steps, canceling all flight operations until 12 noon today from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot. The airline cited “operational reasons in view of security restrictions” and pledged to assist stranded passengers.
Other airlines, including Vistara and Akasa Air, have issued alerts and are closely monitoring developments, adjusting schedules accordingly. Most carriers have assured full refunds or rebooking options without penalty for affected travelers.
The airport closures are reportedly being managed in coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Indian Air Force, and local law enforcement, with emergency and defense-related flights prioritized. Though no aerial threat has been confirmed, the closures are being seen as a strategic move to safeguard civilian infrastructure and ensure operational flexibility for defense forces.
Travelers scheduled to fly from any of the impacted airports are being advised to stay updated via airline websites, customer care helplines, and airport announcements. Authorities are expected to issue another status update later in the day based on evolving security assessments.
No Comments: