In a major relief to travelers and airlines alike, India has fully reopened 32 airports that were closed amid heightened military tensions in the border. The affected airports, primarily located in northern and western India, had been temporarily shut as part of safety measures, a precautionary defense measure that began on May 7. The closures disrupted more than 1,500 flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded or rerouted. Originally expected to last until May 15, the airspace restrictions were lifted early after both sides agreed to a ceasefire, restoring full civil flight operations as of May 12.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) announced the immediate availability of these airports for civil aircraft operations. The closures, initiated on May 7, were initially set to last until May 15 but have been lifted ahead of schedule in light of the ceasefire.
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The list of reopened airports includes key strategic and civilian hubs, which include:
Amritsar Pathankot Adhampur Bathinda Jalandhar Ludhiana Halwara Srinagar Jammu Leh Udhampur Awantipur Chandigarh Kullu Shimla Kangra Saharanpur Ambala Sirsa Bikaner Phalodi Jaisalmer Jodhpur Barmer Naliya Bhuj Deesa Dwarka Jamnagar Bhavnagar Porbandar Kandla Major carriers such as Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air have already begun rescheduling and reinstating flights to and from the affected airports. IndiGo, for instance, announced the waiver of cancellation and change fees for impacted passengers until May 22, providing some cushion to travelers affected by the sudden disruptions.
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The temporary closure had not only impacted civilian movement but also led to delays in cargo logistics, emergency medical flights, and tourism-related travel. With airspace now fully reopened, airlines are working to normalize operations and ramp up capacity over the coming days.
This development is being viewed as a positive sign of easing tensions in the border. The reopening of Indian airspace is a welcome move for the aviation sector, already dealing with the pressures of rising fuel costs and fluctuating passenger demand. With summer travel season approaching, airlines are hopeful that flight bookings will rebound swiftly, and affected routes will see full capacity restored soon.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) announced the immediate availability of these airports for civil aircraft operations. The closures, initiated on May 7, were initially set to last until May 15 but have been lifted ahead of schedule in light of the ceasefire.
Read more: 6 Indian villages that are cooler than most cities
The list of reopened airports includes key strategic and civilian hubs, which include:
Read more: Why Chitkul is India’s answer to Switzerland
The temporary closure had not only impacted civilian movement but also led to delays in cargo logistics, emergency medical flights, and tourism-related travel. With airspace now fully reopened, airlines are working to normalize operations and ramp up capacity over the coming days.
This development is being viewed as a positive sign of easing tensions in the border. The reopening of Indian airspace is a welcome move for the aviation sector, already dealing with the pressures of rising fuel costs and fluctuating passenger demand. With summer travel season approaching, airlines are hopeful that flight bookings will rebound swiftly, and affected routes will see full capacity restored soon.
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