As tensions escalate following India’s targeted military strike Operation Sindoor, major air travel disruptions have gripped northern and western India. Several key airports have been shut until 0529 hrs IST on 10 May, prompting airlines to issue urgent advisories and suspend flight operations.
Combined Travel Advisory by Air India and IndiGo
In compliance with directives from aviation authorities regarding airport closures, both Air India and IndiGo have cancelled all flights to and from the following 13 cities:
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Jammu
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Srinagar
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Leh
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Amritsar
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Chandigarh
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Rajkot
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Jodhpur
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Gwalior
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Kishangarh
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Dharamshala
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Bikaner
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Bhuj
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Jamnagar
Air India stated that its flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot stand cancelled till 0529 hrs on May 10. The airline is offering a one-time waiver on rescheduling charges or full refunds for affected passengers.
IndiGo also confirmed cancellations on overlapping routes, urging travelers to check their flight status and noting that more schedule changes may follow based on the evolving security situation.
Background: Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Armed Forces in the early hours of May 7, targeting nine terror-linked sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The strikes were a direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians, mostly Hindu pilgrims.
According to Indian officials, the operation struck infrastructure associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen, and was described as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory”, deliberately avoiding Pakistani military assets.
Pakistan claimed civilian casualties and damage to non-military sites, sparking fears of escalation. Heavy shelling was later reported along the Line of Control (LoC).
What it means for travelers
With airport closures spanning across Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, thousands of passengers are affected. Travelers are strongly advised to:
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Check flight status on airline websites or apps before leaving for the airport
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Utilize waiver offers for rescheduling or cancellation
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Stay updated as further airspace or route adjustments may be announced
This unprecedented aviation halt underscores the scale of the security alert triggered by Operation Sindoor, marking one of the most serious India-Pakistan escalations in over two decades.
