by 
Following Operation Sindoor, India has adopted a heightened state of alertness due to fears of potential retaliatory actions from Pakistan. To bolster national security, New Delhi has temporarily closed several airports in the northwestern region of the country.
A total of 18 airports, including Srinagar, Leh, Jammu, Amritsar, Pathankot, Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Shimla, Dharamshala, and Jamnagar, have been shut down. The highest number of flight cancellations has been reported from Delhi, with 35 flights grounded.
The decision has significantly impacted domestic flight operations, with IndiGo, India's largest private airline, cancelling the most flights. An IndiGo spokesperson stated that due to government-imposed airspace restrictions, 165 flights have been cancelled until May 10. Similarly, Air India has announced the cancellation of flights to Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, and Amritsar until the same date. Other airlines, including SpiceJet and Akasa Air, are facing similar disruptions.
Airlines have assured passengers that full refunds will be provided for cancelled flights, with options for rescheduling also being explored.
On the international front, several airlines are avoiding Pakistani airspace. Qatar Airways has rerouted over 25 international flights, while American Airlines, Dutch carrier KLM, and Singapore Airlines have also decided to bypass Pakistan’s airspace.
AI/MR
