Flight operations at 3 more airports suspended; Kishangarh, Bhuntar (Kullu), Ludhiana impacted

(Picture for representational purposes only) View of the deserted Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, after it was temporarily shut for operations, amid restrictions in the wake of the armed forces launching missile attacks on terror targets in Pakistan on Wednesday morning, in Chandigarh, Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
–

Civilian flight operations at three more airports have been suspended amidst rising hostilities between India and Pakistan.

Accordingly, the number of airports closed for civilian flight operations now stands at 24.

businessline was the first to report that flight operations to and from more than 20 airports have been suspended until May 10, 2025, after India struck terrorist sites in Pakistan early Wednesday morning.

On Thursday, a revised Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) covering the affected Flight Information Regions (FIRs) was issued.

Notably, Kishangarh, Bhuntar (Kullu), Ludhiana were added to the list of airports in the revised NOTAM.

The airports closed for civilian flights are located across various states and union territories, including Jammu and Kashmir and Gujarat.

Consequently, the evolving situation has disrupted flight operations at airports such as Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jodhpur, Shimla, and Rajkot, among others.

Industry estimates showed that over 400 flights were cancelled as a precautionary measure on Wednesday.

On its part, Delhi’s IGI Airport, in a social media post, said that its operations have remained “normal.”

“Some flights are impacted due to changing airspace conditions and heightened security,” the post said.

These developments come after hostilities between India and Pakistan intensified on Thursday as Pakistan launched a wave of missile and drone attacks targeting over 15 military and civilian sites across Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan.

Nevertheless, India’s air defense systems neutralised 7–8 incursions using S-400 and Akash systems and downed two Pakistani fighter jets.

Besides, Pakistan shelled forward areas including RS Pura, Samba, Kupwara, and Baramulla, prompting a proportionate Indian response.

In retaliation, Indian forces, under Operation Sindoor, struck back by targeting Pakistani air defense radars, including an HQ-9 unit in Lahore developed with Chinese assistance.

Meanwhile, hostilities continue along the international border and Line of Control in J&K.

Ends

Published on May 9, 2025