India Reopens 32 Airports After Indo-Pak Ceasefire, Flight Operations Resume Amid Eased Border Tensions
After several days of suspension due to heightened tensions along the Indo-Pak border, civil flight operations have resumed at 32 airports across northern and western India, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed on May 12. These airports had been shut down from May 9 to May 15 as a precautionary measure in light of increased military activity in the region, following the launch of Operation Sindoor by India on May 7.
A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued to inform all aviation stakeholders of the reopening. The airports now cleared for civil flights include major hubs such as Srinagar, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Leh, as well as others with both strategic and commercial importance. The full list of affected airports includes:
Adampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra, Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali, Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot, Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise, and Uttarlai.
Flight Operations Resumed
— Chandigarh International Airport (@ixcairport) May 12, 2025
Flight services to and from Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Chandigarh, have resumed as of 10:30 AM on 12th May 2025.
Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for updated schedules.
Thank you for your patience and…
According to the AAI, “Attention flyers: Civil aircraft operations are now permitted at all 32 previously closed airports with immediate effect. Passengers are advised to check flight status directly with their airlines and monitor official websites for further updates.”
Chandigarh Airport was among the first to resume operations, restarting services at 10:30 AM on May 12, with other airports gradually following suit throughout the day. The reopening was made possible after India and Pakistan announced a mutual ceasefire on Saturday, resulting in a “largely peaceful” night along the Jammu & Kashmir region and the International Border, according to the Indian Army.
In light of evolving circumstances and dynamic airspace conditions, commercial flight operations were temporarily suspended at 32 Airports until 05:29 hrs of May, 15th 2025. It is pleased to inform that these Airports are now fully operational for #CivilAircraft movements with… pic.twitter.com/KmkTEBN0D0
— Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official) May 12, 2025
The airport closures had led to significant travel disruptions, especially in Jammu & Kashmir. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had publicly urged authorities to reopen Srinagar Airport, highlighting the difficulties faced by Haj pilgrims who were unable to travel due to the suspension of flights.
The closure of these airports had originally been mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), citing operational and safety concerns amid regional instability. With a relative easing of tensions at the border, the decision to reopen has come as a major relief to thousands of stranded passengers and airlines awaiting clearance to resume services.
