Picture Credits: Air India (FB)
INDIA: Air travel across northern India is facing significant disruptions following the Indian Armed Forces’ launch of Operation Sindoor, a military operation targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Several airports in northern India have been closed due to security concerns and airspace restrictions. Affected airports include Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Jodhpur, Rajkot, Bhuj, and Jamnagar. These closures have led to widespread flight cancellations and diversions.
Air India: The airline has canceled flights to and from nine airports: Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot until 5:29 AM IST on May 10. Passengers with valid tickets during this period are eligible for a one-time waiver on rescheduling charges or a full refund.
IndiGo: Approximately 160 domestic flights have been canceled, including services to Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, and Jodhpur. The airline has issued a travel advisory urging passengers to check flight statuses before traveling.
SpiceJet: Flights to and from Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar have been suspended until further notice. The airline advises passengers to stay updated on flight statuses.
International carriers have also been affected, with several rerouting flights to avoid Pakistani airspace. Air India confirmed that two of its international flights bound for Amritsar were diverted to Delhi. Airlines such as Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, Swiss International Air Lines, and Emirates have adjusted their flight paths to avoid Pakistani airspace, leading to longer routes and increased flight times. Reuters
Passengers traveling to or from northern India are advised to:
- Check flight statuses regularly through airline websites or customer service.
- Stay updated on travel advisories issued by airlines and aviation authorities.
- Plan for potential delays or cancellations, and consider rescheduling or seeking refunds where applicable.
