Indian Government Extends Closure of 24 Airports Until May 15 Amid Escalating India-Pakistan Tensions
By [Your Name], International Correspondent, May 9, 2025
New Delhi, India – The Indian government has extended the closure of 24 airports across northern and western India until 5:29 a.m. on May 15, 2025, as tensions with Pakistan intensify following a series of cross-border incidents, including a foiled Pakistani drone attack and heavy artillery shelling along the Line of Control (LoC). The decision, announced by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on May 9, extends an earlier closure set to end on May 10, disrupting air travel and prompting airlines to cancel hundreds of flights while implementing heightened security measures. The move reflects the severity of the ongoing conflict, which has strained diplomatic relations and raised fears of further escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
Escalation Triggers Airport Closures
The extended closures stem from a sharp escalation in India-Pakistan tensions, sparked by a deadly April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that killed 26 civilians. India accused Pakistan of supporting the attack, prompting New Delhi to launch Operation Sindoor on May 7, a precision strike targeting nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including Jaish-e-Mohammad’s base in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s in Muridke. Pakistan retaliated on May 7–8 with 300–400 Turkish-made Asisguard Songar drones targeting 36 locations in Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, alongside missile strikes and heavy shelling across the LoC. Indian air defense systems intercepted the drones, but the attacks caused civilian panic, property damage, and loss of life in border villages.
In response, the Civil Aviation Ministry issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) closing 24 airports near India’s western border, citing airspace restrictions and security threats. The affected airports include Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bhuntar, Kishangarh, Patiala, Shimla, Kangra-Gaggal, Bathinda, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Halwara, Pathankot, Jammu, Leh, Mundra, Jamnagar, Hirasar, Porbandar, Keshod, Kandla, and Bhuj. The ministry also banned visitor entry to terminal buildings and ordered enhanced security, including Secondary Ladder Point Checks (SLPC) for all passengers.
Impact on Air Travel
The closures have caused widespread disruption. IndiGo, India’s largest domestic carrier, canceled 165 flights on May 7 alone and announced that all flights to and from 10 destinations—Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Bikaner, Rajkot, Jodhpur, and Kishangarh—will remain suspended until May 15. Air India followed suit, canceling flights to these cities plus Bhuj and Jamnagar, offering passengers one-time waivers on rescheduling fees or full refunds. SpiceJet also suspended operations to Leh, Srinagar, Jammu, Dharamsala, Kandla, and Amritsar until May 10, with further cancellations expected.
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), while operational, reported 66 domestic departures, 63 arrivals, 5 international departures, and 4 arrivals canceled between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. on May 9 due to tightened security protocols. The Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) urged passengers to arrive three hours early, warning of potential schedule changes. Bengaluru and Mumbai airports issued similar advisories, with Bengaluru recommending early arrivals due to enhanced checks. International carriers like Air France, Lufthansa, and United Airlines have rerouted flights to avoid Pakistani airspace, adding up to four hours to routes to Europe and North America, often requiring fuel stops in Vienna or Copenhagen.
Broader Context: A Deepening Crisis
The airport closures are part of a broader escalation. On April 24, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian airlines, prompting India to reciprocate, banning Pakistani flights until May 23. Pakistan’s partial closure of Karachi and Lahore airspace from May 1 to May 31 further complicated regional air traffic. India’s suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty and closure of all border posts have deepened the diplomatic rift, with Pakistan labeling the treaty suspension an “act of war.” The United Nations and global powers, including the U.S., UK, France, Russia, and China, have urged restraint, but both nations show little sign of de-escalation.
Indian defense officials, including Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, reported that the Pakistani drone attacks aimed to test India’s air defenses and gather intelligence, with forensic analysis ongoing. The Indian Army also neutralized a Pakistani air defense system in Lahore and shot down over 50 drones along the LoC. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military actions have drawn domestic criticism, with its dollar-denominated bonds dropping over 4 cents on May 8, reflecting economic strain amid low foreign reserves of $10.2 billion.
Public and Political Reactions
On X, the closures have fueled intense discussion. @MithilaWaala and @OsiOsint1 highlighted the affected airports, framing the decision as a necessary response to the “India-Pakistan War.” @livemint and @IndiaToday reported the extension to May 14 or 15, reflecting slight discrepancies in early reports. Public sentiment ranges from support for India’s security measures to frustration over travel disruptions, with @TimesNow emphasizing civilian safety advisories.
Politically, the closures underscore India’s hardline stance. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s talks with U.S. counterpart Pete Hegseth signal efforts to manage international fallout, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for action “beyond imagination” against terrorism has rallied domestic support. However, opposition figures like PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti have questioned the security response, citing 3,000 arrests post-Pahalgam as excessive.
Looking Ahead
The extended airport closures, now set to lift on May 15, reflect India’s prioritization of security amid an unpredictable conflict. Airlines are bracing for further cancellations, with travel and tourism stocks declining on May 9. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has ordered nationwide vigilance, and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is conducting mock drills at major airports like Delhi’s IGI. Passengers are advised to monitor airline updates and expect delays, particularly for flights to Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
As India and Pakistan navigate this volatile period, the airport closures serve as a stark reminder of the civilian cost of geopolitical strife. With no immediate resolution in sight, the region remains on edge, awaiting the next move in a conflict that has already disrupted lives and livelihoods across borders.
Sources: Hindustan Times, India Today, Business Today, NDTV, Reuters, Times of India, X posts from @MithilaWaala, @OsiOsint1, @livemint, @IndiaToday, @airnewsalerts, @TimesNow, @ANI