After the Indian tri-services conducted strikes on Pakistani terror bases, 25 airports in the country have been closed due to security reasons. The airports include Jammu, Amritsar, Srinagar, Leh, Kullu, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bhatinda, Jamnagar, Bhuj, Kishangarh, Gwalior, Kandla, Adampur, Hindon, Bareilly, Dharamshala, Shimla, Rajkot, and Porbandar. The airports are closed for the movement of civilians. Reports further suggest that security forces have kept the power plants and refineries near the borders at high alert.
Officials have said that there is no need to worry, as the airports have been closed as a measure of precaution. The airports listed are those that either coincide with any passage made for the Air Force or are near the borders. This is done to ensure that if there is a need to mobilise forces, civilians and civilian aircraft are out of any danger.
The closure is in effect till 2359 hours International time, on May 9, 2025, which implies that aircraft will be halted till 0529 hours on 10 May as per the Indian Standard time. The closure is expected to impact the Chandigarh airport the most compared to the others listed, with over 12 departures restricted, and Srinagar will see a stop on 99 departures. Airlines have come up with a solution for the passengers stuck in the uncertain situation. They are offering to cancel the ticket with a waiver on the payment, while others are providing cancellation with a penalty.
Airlines are also giving options to change the boarding airports, and passengers can avail the options to avoid inconvenience. The advisory for Airlines has also informed travellers to keep checking the updates on flights at their respective airports, as it is a vulnerable and dynamic situation, and there can be changes to the continued and open operations.
The most important thing right now is the security of the nation, and to ensure the safety of civilians movement of military aircraft is necessary. It is important to avoid travel if possible, however, no list of places to avoid visiting has been issued by the government.
