In a major development affecting air travel across a significant portion of the country, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has announced the temporary closure of 32 airports throughout northern and western India. All civil flight operations at these locations will remain suspended until May 15, according to the official announcement.
The extensive closure impacts several major transportation hubs including Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jammu, Srinagar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Jaisalmer, and Pathankot, among others. These airports serve as crucial connectivity points for millions of travelers and the suspension is expected to cause significant disruptions to travel plans and schedules.
Beyond airport closures, the AAI has also ordered the temporary shutdown of 25 segments of Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes within both the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions. This additional measure will further complicate air traffic management in the affected areas.
“Airlines have been advised to plan alternate routings to minimize disruptions,” an AAI spokesperson stated. “We understand this creates inconvenience for travelers, but these measures are necessary for operational reasons.”
While the official announcement cites “operational reasons” for the closures, the timing coincides with heightened tensions along India’s borders. The AAI has indicated that the temporary measures will be managed in coordination with relevant authorities to ensure safety remains the top priority.
