New Delhi, May 10: In response to escalating tensions with Pakistan, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has temporarily suspended civil flight operations at 32 airports across Northern and Western India. The suspension, effective from May 9 to May 14, 2025 (up to 0529 IST on May 15), follows the issuance of multiple Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) citing operational reasons.
The affected airports include Adampur, 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, and Uttarlai.
A senior official from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) confirmed that all civil flights at these airports will remain grounded during the specified period. Additionally, 25 segments of Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes within the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions (FIRs) have also been temporarily closed, as per NOTAM G0555/25, replacing G0525/25. These restrictions apply from ground level to unlimited altitude and will remain in place until 2359 UTC on May 14 (0529 IST, May 15).
Updated air traffic advisories have advised airlines to reroute flights, and the ATC is working in coordination to ensure safety and minimize disruptions.
Meanwhile, security has been heightened following reports of drone sightings at 26 locations from Baramulla in the north to Bhuj in the south. According to defence sources, the drones, suspected to be armed, were detected along the International Border and the Line of Control (LoC), posing potential threats to both civilian and military infrastructure.
The reported locations include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet, and Lakhi Nala.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as precautionary measures remain in effect across strategic areas.
