Operation Sindoor: Impact on Air Travel in India and Pakistan

Over 400 Flights Cancelled Amid Rising Border Tensions and Airspace Closures

India is currently facing a massive air travel disruption following the launch of Operation Sindoor, a strategic military offensive targeting terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

With heightened national security alerts and tactical airspace restrictions, over 400 commercial flights have been cancelled or diverted. The crisis has disrupted domestic and international travel alike, with ripple effects now visible across Asia and the Middle East.

Airports Affected

At least 18 airports across northern and western India have suspended operations. These include major terminals in Srinagar, Leh, Jammu, Amritsar, Pathankot, Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Shimla, Dharamshala, Jamnagar, Rajkot, and Bhuj.

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has also witnessed major slowdowns. Over 35 flights were cancelled in a single day. Hundreds more were delayed or rerouted.

Airline Responses and Public Advisories

India’s top airlines have responded with advisories and operational changes:

Air India, in a post on X, stated:
“In view of the prevailing situation, Air India has cancelled all its flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot till 12 noon on 7 May, pending further updates from authorities. Two international flights en route to Amritsar are being diverted to Delhi. We regret the inconvenience caused due to this unforeseen disruption.”

IndiGo, India’s largest domestic airline, also alerted passengers:
“Due to changing airspace conditions in the region, our flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh and Dharamshala are impacted.”

Air India Express has extended free rescheduling and full refund options for affected routes through May 10, while SpiceJet confirmed that all operations to several northern airports are on hold “until further notice.”

Akasa Air and Star Air have cancelled flights to various northern cities and are offering assistance to stranded travelers.

FlightRadar24: Massive Cancellations in India and Pakistan

According to FlightRadar24, real-time flight tracking data as of 10:30 UTC revealed:

• 430 cancellations in India, making up about 3% of all scheduled flights.
• 147 cancellations in Pakistan, equating to a significant 17% of its daily operations.

Skies over north-western India and entire Pakistani airspace are eerily empty, a reflection of the military escalation unfolding beneath.

Dozens of International Flights Diverted

More than 25 international flights have already been rerouted to avoid Pakistani airspace, with several carriers halting overflights entirely:

• KLM, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways have either rerouted or suspended services.
• Singapore Airlines stopped flying through Pakistan from May 6.
• Qatar Airways has suspended all flights to and from Pakistan until further notice.

What Passengers Need to Know

Airlines are advising all travelers to check flight status online before heading to the airport, stay tuned to official announcements, and expect delays or changes. Full refunds and flexible rescheduling are being offered in most cases.