New Delhi, May 13 - India announced the reopening of 32 airports across its northern and western regions, a significant step toward restoring normalcy following a ceasefire agreement with Pakistan. The airports, which had been temporarily closed to civilian flight operations since May 7 due to escalating military tensions, were made available for commercial flights with immediate effect, as confirmed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). This development came after a US-brokered ceasefire was announced on May 10, halting four days of intense cross-border hostilities involving jet fighters, missiles, drones, and artillery—the most severe conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors since 1999.
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The closure of the 32 airports was initiated in response to heightened security concerns following India’s launch of Operation Sindoor, a military operation targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was a retaliatory measure against a terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives. The affected airports, primarily located in strategically sensitive areas near the India-Pakistan border, included major hubs like Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, and Chandigarh, as well as smaller facilities such as Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bhuj, and Rajkot. Many of these airports operate on defense airfields, with limited commercial activity, but their closure disrupted over 1,500 flights, with IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, canceling more than 160 flights daily.
The AAI issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on May 12, canceling earlier restrictions that had extended the airport closures until May 15. The decision to reopen was supported by the Indian Air Force’s report of a peaceful night along the border, with no unusual activity detected. Airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, began progressively resuming operations, with IndiGo restarting flights on routes like Delhi-Chandigarh, Delhi-Jammu, and Delhi-Amritsar by Monday evening. Air India and its low-cost arm, Air India Express, also announced plans to restore services to cities such as Srinagar, Leh, and Jodhpur. However, the AAI advised passengers to check flight statuses directly with airlines, as scheduling adjustments were expected to take time.
The ceasefire, mediated by US President Donald Trump and facilitated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President J.D. Vance, followed extensive negotiations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. While Pakistan reopened its airspace for all flights on May 10, it continued to bar Indian-registered aircraft, forcing Indian carriers to reroute international flights via longer paths over the Arabian Sea. India’s reopening of its airports, coupled with the resumption of 25 international air routes, is expected to ease air traffic congestion and benefit both domestic and international carriers. Security measures remain stringent, with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security mandating extra checks and a ban on visitor entry at airports until May 18. This development marks a cautious return to normal aviation activity, though regional stability hinges on sustained diplomatic efforts.