27 airports closed, around 400+ flights cancelled; all you need to know

In the wake of escalating border tensions, the Indian Government has temporarily closed more than 25 airports across northern, western, and central regions. As per the reports, this decision is effective until May 10, 2025.The Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) leading to the suspension of operations at 27 airports, including major hubs like Leh, Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Jodhpur. This action resulted in the cancellation of approximately 430 flights, accounting for about 3% of India's scheduled flights.According to a NOTAM issued by the Airports Authority of India, the affected airports include Leh, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Patiala, and Halwara in Punjab; Shimla and Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh; Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, and Kishangarh in Rajasthan; and Bhuj, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Mundra, Porbandar, Kandla, and Keshod in Gujarat. Airlines also reported that Gwalior and Hindon airports were impacted, as shared on X.Civilian air traffic over parts of western India dropped considerably as international airlines such as United Airlines, Korean Air, and Lufthansa rerouted their flights to steer clear of the conflict zone. These detours resulted in longer flight times and higher operational expenses.Read more: 8 national parks in Canada that are bear-y goodThe international community has expressed concern over the escalating crisis. The UK Foreign Office, in an updated travel advisory, now advises against all travel within 10 kilometers of border regions, as well as to the state of Manipur and other affected areas due to ongoing unrest—excluding limited city travel in Jammu and Ladakh. The advisory also highlights key safety issues: the mandatory visa requirement for entry, risks of sexual assault targeting female travelers, and societal discrimination faced by LGBT+ individuals.Read more: Skip Switzerland: 6 countries gaining popularity as top summer vacation destinationsAirlines have raised safety alarms over threats such as GPS spoofing, which could misdirect aircraft into conflict zones. This emerging risk further complicates operations in the already unstable regions of the Middle East and South Asia.The temporary closure of 27 airports in India indicates the severity of the current border situation. Keep checking this space for further updates.