📍Published: May 7, 2025 | eduinvesting.in
In a turn of events that makes even frequent fliers consider the Indian Railways, several airports across northern India have either been closed or are functioning with restricted airspace followingOperation Sindoor— India’s bold retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack. While the Indian Air Force flexed precision, the commercial aviation sector is now flexing… its delay notifications.
✈️ What’s Going On in Indian Skies?
Operation Sindoor, which reportedly targeted nine terror launchpads across the border, wasn’t just a military maneuver — it came with aftershocks that rippled through our civilian airways. In coordination with heightened national security, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, in consultation with the Ministry of Defence, has rerouted or suspended operations atat least six major northern airportsfor 48 hours starting May 7.
Affected airports include:
- Jammu (IXJ)
- Srinagar (SXR)
- Pathankot (IXP)
- Amritsar (ATQ)
- Leh (IXL)
- Udhampur (UHP)
These aren’t your average sleepy airfields. These zones form the arterial connection to border towns, pilgrim routes, and tourist hotspots — and right now, they’re experiencing the aviation equivalent of a power cut.
📉 Airlines Playing ‘Air Musical Chairs’
Major Indian carriers — Indigo, Vistara,
SpiceJet, and Air India — are now in a game of “where-can-we-land-now?”
- Indigoissued a statement apologizing for the inconvenience and offered customers vouchers worth ₹200 (approximately one Maggi meal at Delhi airport).
- SpiceJetpromised full refunds or flight rescheduling. Some passengers claimed SpiceJet gave them a travel credit they could only use on Tuesdays between 2–4 AM.
- Air India, true to tradition, simply said, “We appreciate your patience.”
With around200+ flights impacted, travelers were seen pacing terminals, sipping overpriced coffee, and Googling “Can I walk to Jammu from Delhi?”
🛑 NOTAM: India’s ‘No-Fly Zones’
India issued NOTAMs (Notice to Air Missions) marking designated ‘no-fly zones’ over northern military air corridors. The aim: provide secure airspace for any ongoing operations and keep civilians out of harm’s way. In short: the Air Force has the skies right now, and no, your SpiceJet ATR is not getting priority.
Impact at a glance:
| Airport | Status | Expected Resume |
|---|---|---|
| Jammu (IXJ) | Fully closed | May 9 (TBD) |
| Srinagar (SXR) | Closed for civilians | May 8 evening |
| Amritsar (ATQ) | Partial delays | May 8 afternoon |
| Pathankot (IXP) | Military-only | Until further notice |
| Leh (IXL) | Visibility-based | Conditional |
| Udhampur (UHP) | Suspended ops | May 9 |
