 "Temporary Suspension of Civil Flight Operations at 32 airports. Image for Representation. Reuters")
With the conflict between India and Pakistan reaching a boiling point, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and other relevant aviation authorities have issued a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) announcing the temporary closure of 32 airports across northern and western India for all civil flight operations.
According to the Press Information Bureau of India (PIB), the closure will be effective from May 9 to May 14, 2025. The measure is being taken due to “operational reasons”.
Tensions between the two nations reached an all-time high as Pakistan and India launched air assets in their respective territories. In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan launched Operation ‘Bunyan-un-Marsoos’, which means ‘firm foundation’. However, the operation fell like a house of cards
List of airports affected
The following airports are affected by this NOTAM:
Adhampur
Ambala
Amritsar
Awantipur
Bathinda
Bhuj
Bikaner
Chandigarh
Halwara
Hindon
Jaisalmer
Jammu
Jamnagar
Jodhpur
Kandla
Kangra (Gaggal)
Keshod
Kishangarh
Kullu Manali (Bhuntar)
Leh
Ludhiana
Mundra
Naliya
Pathankot
Patiala
Porbandar
Rajkot (Hirasar)
Sarsawa
Shimla
Srinagar
Thoise
Uttarlai
All civil flight activities at these airports will remain suspended during his period.
Apart from this, the AAI has also extended the temporary closure of 25 segments of Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes within the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions (FIRs) due to operational reasons. As per the respective NOTAMS, the routes will remain unavailable from ground level to an “unlimited altitude” until May 14.
“Airlines and flight operators have been advised to plan alternate routings as per current air traffic advisories. The temporary closure is being managed in coordination with relevant ATC units to ensure safety and minimise disruption,” AAI said in a statement.