Air travel across northern India faced significant disruptions on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, following the Indian Armed Forces' launch of "Operation Sindoor," a military operation targeting terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was executed in response to a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists, including 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen.
In the wake of the operation, major airlines including IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air issued travel advisories, informing passengers of flight cancellations and reroutes. The Airports Authority of India confirmed that Srinagar airport would be closed for the day, meaning no commercial flights could take off or land.
IndiGo announced on its official social media account that flights to and from several northern cities, including Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, and Bikaner, were impacted due to changing airspace conditions. The airline urged travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport, stating, "Due to changing airspace conditions in the region, our flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh and Dharamshala are impacted. We request you to check your flight status at https://bit.ly/31paVKQ before reaching the airport."
Similarly, Air India canceled all flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot until 12 noon on May 7, pending further updates from authorities. The airline expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by the unforeseen disruptions, adding that two international flights bound for Amritsar were being diverted to Delhi.
SpiceJet also confirmed that several key airports in northern India, including Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar, were closed until further notice. The airline advised passengers to plan their journeys accordingly, stating, "Due to the ongoing situation, airports in parts of northern India... are closed until further notice. Departures, arrivals, and consequential flights may be impacted." Passengers were encouraged to check their flight status and were given options for refunds or alternative flights if available.
Akasa Air joined the other airlines in announcing the cancellation of its flights to and from Srinagar, advising passengers to verify their flight status before traveling to the airport.
Operation Sindoor commenced at 1:44 AM on May 7, with the Indian Armed Forces targeting nine identified terrorist sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These sites were reportedly used to plan and direct attacks against India. The Ministry of Defence described the strikes as "focused, measured and non-escalatory," emphasizing that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted. The operation aimed to disrupt the infrastructure supporting terrorist activities following the April 22 Pahalgam attack.
Confirmed strike locations included Muzaffarabad and Kotli in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province, all of which have been linked to militant operations. Muzaffarabad serves as the administrative capital of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and is strategically significant.
In its first official response to the operation, Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) acknowledged that Indian airstrikes had targeted the aforementioned locations and confirmed that the strikes were launched from within Indian airspace.
Reports indicated that India's precision strikes resulted in eight fatalities and over 35 injuries, raising concerns about potential escalation in the already tense India-Pakistan relations. The Ministry of Defence reiterated that the operations were conducted with considerable restraint, focusing on minimizing collateral damage.
The situation remains fluid, with airlines and authorities closely monitoring developments and providing updates to travelers as necessary. As the day progresses, passengers are advised to stay informed through their respective airlines and official channels regarding any further changes to flight operations.
As tensions continue to rise following the military operation, the implications for air travel and regional security remain a pressing concern for both travelers and authorities alike.
