Over 300 Flights Cancelled and 25 Airports Temporarily Closed Due to Security Operations

Over 300 flights have been cancelled, and at least 25 airports, including Srinagar, are temporarily closed due to military operations targeting terror sites in Pakistan. Airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and some international carriers have halted services to various airports.

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Sources indicate that airports in northern and western India, including Srinagar, Leh, Jammu, Amritsar, Pathankot, Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Shimla, Dharamshala, and Jamnagar, are affected. These closures follow missile strikes by Indian armed forces on terror targets in Pakistan.

Flight Cancellations and Airline Responses

IndiGo has cancelled over 165 flights from domestic airports like Amritsar and Srinagar until the morning of May 10 due to airspace restrictions. The airline stated that passengers with affected flights can reschedule or cancel their bookings without extra charges.

Air India Group has also cancelled around 140 flights. Affected routes include Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot. This decision follows a notification from aviation authorities regarding airport closures.

SpiceJet announced on X that flights to and from Leh, Srinagar, Jammu, Dharamshala, Kandla, and Amritsar are cancelled until early May 10. Passengers can choose a full refund or an alternate flight based on availability.

Impact on Delhi Airport and International Flights

Approximately 140 flights at Delhi airport were cancelled by various airlines on Wednesday. This includes 65 arrivals and 66 departures. Additionally, two international departures and arrivals were affected.

DIAL operates the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi. They are coordinating with airlines and Air Traffic Control to minimise disruptions. Passengers should contact airlines for updates and alternative travel options.

Air India Express posted on X that flights to Amritsar, Gwalior, Jammu, Srinagar, and Hindon are cancelled until May 10 due to airport authority notifications.

Regional and International Flight Suspensions

Akasa Air announced on X that all its flights to and from Srinagar are cancelled until May 9 due to the current regional situation. Star Air's services to Nanded, Hindon, Adampur, Kishangarh, and Bhuj are also suspended for the day.

Internationally, United Airlines cancelled its Newark-Delhi flight while American Airlines halted its New York-Delhi service. Qatar Airways temporarily suspended flights to Pakistan due to the closure of Pakistani airspace.

Military Operations Prompt Airspace Closures

India closed about 25 flight routes allowing entry into Pakistan through Indian airspace following missile attacks on terror targets in Pakistan. These strikes were part of Operation Sindoor against nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

The operation targeted locations like Jaish-e-Mohammad's base in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's stronghold in Muridke as retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack.

With inputs from PTI