Flight operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport faced significant disruptions on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, following India's military strikes on terrorist targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as part of a coordinated effort known as Operation Sindoor. The sudden enforcement of airspace restrictions led to the cancellation of numerous flights and prompted airport authorities to issue an urgent advisory to passengers.
As of 7:42 AM, reports indicated that 20 flights had been cancelled at the Delhi airport, with 76 departing flights and 46 arriving flights delayed, according to live flight tracking website Flightradar24. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) issued a statement on social media platform X, advising travelers to check with their respective airlines for the latest flight information due to the changing airspace conditions.
India's largest airline, IndiGo, confirmed that its flights to and from high-alert zones including Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Dharamshala were significantly impacted. The airline cautioned passengers to verify 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.”
Air India also announced that it had cancelled all flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot until 12 noon on the same day. Additionally, two international flights that were en route to Amritsar were diverted to Delhi as a precautionary measure. The airline expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by the unforeseen situation, stating, “We regret the inconvenience caused due to this unforeseen disruption.”
The Indian armed forces' operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor, targeted nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir believed to be key centers of terror activity. This military action was a direct response to the recent Pahalgam attack on April 22, which resulted in the tragic deaths of 26 individuals, mostly tourists. The strikes included significant targets such as a Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold in Bahawalpur and a Lashkar-e-Taiba base in Muridke.
As a result of the escalating tensions, several airports across northern India were closed, including Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, Amritsar, Jodhpur, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot. Airlines such as SpiceJet and Alliance Air also confirmed the suspension of operations to and from these locations, urging passengers to check the latest updates before heading to the airport.
SpiceJet, in its advisory, confirmed that airport closures in northern cities, including Dharamshala and Amritsar, would impact departures, arrivals, and consequential flights. They stated, “Due to ongoing situation, airports in parts of northern India, including Dharamshala (DHM), Leh (IXL), Jammu (IXJ), Srinagar (SXR), and Amritsar (ATQ), are closed until further notice.”
Meanwhile, Akasa Air announced the cancellation of its Srinagar operations due to the complete closure of the airport for civil flights. The airline advised passengers to verify their flight status before making their way to the airport.
The ramifications of Operation Sindoor extended beyond just air travel. The Defence Ministry released a statement emphasizing the necessity of the operation, noting, “A little while ago, the Indian armed forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed.”
The strikes came at a time when diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan were already strained. Following the Pahalgam attack, both countries downgraded their diplomatic ties, with India suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and cancelling visas for all Pakistani nationals. In retaliation, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian flights and suspended the Simla Agreement.
As tensions continue to escalate, authorities are closely monitoring the developments, and further disruptions to air travel are anticipated. Passengers are strongly advised to stay updated with their airlines and the airport's official website for the latest information on flight statuses.
In addition to the air travel disruptions, nationwide mock drills were carried out in 244 areas across all states on the same day as part of security measures. These drills were announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs, coinciding with the heightened security environment following the military operations.
The situation remains fluid, with airlines and airport authorities working diligently to manage the impact of these military actions on civilian air travel. Passengers are encouraged to remain vigilant and informed as the situation develops, ensuring their travel plans are adjusted accordingly.
