New Delhi: Due to recent military action by India, several airports have been closed for commercial flights. This is part of the response to India’s strikes on terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. As a result, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has ordered all airports and airlines to increase their security.
Now, extra security checks will be done before boarding, called Secondary Ladder Point Checks. Also, people who are not flying will not be allowed inside the terminals. Air marshals will be deployed based on need.
Advisory for flyers
- Passengers have been told to arrive at airports at least 3 hours before flight time. Airlines like Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet all shared this advice.
- Air India said check-in will close 75 minutes before flight time and asked people to come early.
- SpiceJet and Akasa Air also gave similar advice and reminded passengers to carry valid photo ID cards.
- Akasa also added that only one handbag of up to 7 kg is allowed and all passengers will go through extra checks.
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 3 hours prior to scheduled departure to ensure smooth check-in and boarding.…
— Air India (@airindia) May 9, 2025
Flight cancellations, airport closures
- Because 27 airports in northern, western, and central India have stopped flights until 5:29 AM on May 10, many airlines have cancelled flights.
- On Thursday alone, over 430 flights were cancelled, which is about 3% of India’s daily flights.
- Websites like Flightradar24 showed that the airspace from Kashmir to Gujarat had almost no civilian planes.
List of closed airports
Here are the airports where flights have been stopped for now:
- Chandigarh
- Srinagar
- Amritsar
- Ludhiana
- Bhuntar
- Kishangarh
- Patiala
- Shimla
- Kangra-Gaggal
- Bathinda
- Jaisalmer
- Jodhpur
- Bikaner
- Halwara
- Pathankot
- Jammu
- Leh
- Mundra
- Jamnagar
- Hirasar (Rajkot)
- Porbandar
- Keshod
- Kandla
- Bhuj
Visitor entry banned at airports
BCAS has also stopped visitors from entering airport terminals. Visitor tickets are no longer available. CCTV systems at airports must be fully working, and in-flight security staff will be deployed where needed.
Advisory by key airlines
Air India: Cancelled flights to/from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot until May 10, 5:29 AM. Affected passengers can either get a full refund or change their travel date once for free.
IndiGo: Cancelled more than 165 flights to places like Amritsar, Jammu, Jodhpur, Srinagar, and more. They also offered free rescheduling or full refunds for affected travelers.
Air India Express: Cancelled flights to and from Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, Gwalior, and Hindon until May 10 morning. Defence personnel who booked flights until May 31 can change their travel plans or cancel without paying extra.
Akasa Air: Stopped all flights to and from Srinagar until May 9. Passengers can get full refunds or reschedule within 7 days of their original flight date at no cost.
SpiceJet: Flights to Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar are on hold for now. Both outgoing and incoming flights, including connecting ones, are affected.
Situation at Delhi Airport
On Wednesday, Delhi airport cancelled more than 140 flights—65 incoming and 66 outgoing. A few international flights were also cancelled that day. The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that 27 airports are closed because of the ongoing military situation. Major airports like Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, and Jammu are included.
IndiGo said in a post that security checks will take more time and asked people to reach early. They also offered changes or cancellations without extra charges for tickets booked on or before May 8 for travel up to May 22 to/from the affected cities.
