India Shuts Down Key Northern Airports for 72 Hours Amid Operation Sindoor Strikes
In response to escalating tensions following India’s Operation Sindoor, the Indian government has imposed a 72-hour closure of several northern airports to civilian flights. This measure comes after India’s targeted strikes on nine alleged terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, conducted in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that resulted in 26 civilian deaths.
Airports Closed for Civilian Traffic
The following airports have been shut down for at least 72 hours:
- Srinagar
- Jammu
- Chandigarh
- Dharamshala
- Amritsar
- Bhuj
- Rajkot
- Bikaner
- Jodhpur
- Delhi
- Jamnagar
- Kandla
While these airports are closed to civilian traffic, they remain operational for military use.
Impact on Airlines and Flights
Major Indian carriers, including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Air India Express, have canceled or rerouted flights due to the airspace restrictions. Delhi Airport alone has canceled over 30 flights, comprising 23 domestic departures and 8 arrivals.
International airlines are also affected, with over 50 flights bound for Pakistan canceled or diverted as carriers avoid the increasingly volatile airspace. Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended flights to Pakistan, and other airlines have rerouted flights to cities like Karachi.
Broader Regional Disruptions
The airspace closures are part of a broader set of disruptions following Operation Sindoor. In Pakistan, the Punjab province has declared a state of emergency, with hospitals and security forces on high alert. Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani-administered Kashmir, experienced power outages after the strikes. In India, schools in much of Jammu and Kashmir have been shut down.
These developments underscore the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, with significant implications for civilian life and regional stability.
Image Credits- Gaggal Airport Terminal
