32 Airports in Northern and Western India Closed for Civilian Flights Amid Rising India-Pakistan Tensions

The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced on Saturday that 32 airports across the northern and western regions of India have been closed for civilian flight operations until 5:29 AM on May 15, 2025.

In a press release, the ministry stated that these closures, initially affecting 24 airports near the India-Pakistan border and key defense installations until May 10, have now been extended to May 15.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI), along with other aviation authorities, has issued a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), confirming the temporary suspension of civilian flights at these airports from May 9 to May 14, 2025, citing operational reasons.

This move comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following India’s precision strikes on May 7 targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor. These strikes were in retaliation for the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians.

The affected airports, spread across various states and union territories, are:

Full List of Airports Closed:

• Adhampur
• 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
• Uttarlai

Further updates on flight operations will be issued by the Ministry as the situation develops.