Major air travel disruption grips North India; Airlines issue refunds and rescheduling waivers amid heightened tensions post-Operation Sindoor
Air travel across northern and western India came to a grinding halt on Wednesday after more than 200 flights were cancelled and 25 airports temporarily shut down operations. The disruption follows India’s early morning missile strikes targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) as part of Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
Major Airlines Affected, Passenger Relief Offered
IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, bore the brunt of the disruption, cancelling 165 flights due to government-imposed airspace restrictions. The airline issued a statement confirming the cancellations until 05:29 IST on May 10, adding that passengers would be eligible for rescheduling waivers or full refunds.
Air India followed suit, suspending services to key northern cities such as Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, and Amritsar, and offering similar relief measures. Air India Express also announced cancellations to and from Amritsar, Gwalior, Jammu, Srinagar and Hindon, stating, “We are offering a full refund or free rescheduling.”
SpiceJet confirmed closures at critical airports in Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar, warning passengers of delays and disruptions. Akasa Air and Star Air also reported flight cancellations, mainly on northern routes.
Delhi Airport Hit Hard
At Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, 35 flights were cancelled since midnight, including 23 domestic departures, eight arrivals, and four international services. The airport authority, DIAL, issued an advisory urging passengers to stay in touch with airlines due to “changing airspace conditions.”
International Flights Diverted, Pakistani Airspace Avoided
The impact of Operation Sindoor reached global skies, with over 25 international flights rerouted to avoid Pakistani airspace. FlightRadar24 showed sparse air traffic over northwest India and Pakistan, which remained nearly devoid of commercial aircraft.
Foreign carriers such as American Airlines, Qatar Airways, KLM, and Singapore Airlines suspended or rerouted services. Qatar Airways confirmed it temporarily halted flights to Pakistan, while Singapore Airlines stated it stopped using Pakistani airspace starting May 6.
According to Reuters, 52 international flights to or from Pakistan were cancelled by Wednesday morning. Dutch carrier KLM announced it would not fly over Pakistan “until further notice.”
Nationwide Impact on Civil Aviation
The ripple effects of the military operation are being felt across India’s aviation landscape. Airports in Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Amritsar, Patna, and Surat saw temporary shutdowns amid heightened security and airspace closures.
While normal operations are expected to resume gradually, officials noted that the situation remains fluid and dependent on geopolitical developments in the aftermath of the strikes.
Sources By Agencies