Centre Reopens 32 Airports After Ceasefire with Pakistan Restores Civil Air Operations
Indian Airspace Reopens as Tensions Ease Along the Border
In a significant development following a brief but intense military confrontation with Pakistan, the Central government has reopened all 32 airports that were shut due to heightened tensions along the border. The announcement, made on May 12, follows a mutual ceasefire agreement between the two nations, marking a critical step toward restoring normalcy in India’s civil aviation network.
What Triggered the Closures?
On May 7, the Indian Armed Forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting nine terror camps across the border in Pakistan. The cross-border strike led to a four-day military standoff, prompting the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to suspend operations at several airports, particularly those located in border regions of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
As per the initial Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), the restrictions were scheduled to remain in effect until 05:29 AM on May 15. However, with a de-escalation of hostilities and diplomatic engagement, the Centre lifted the restrictions three days early.
AAI Confirms Resumption of Services
In an official statement released on Sunday, May 12, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said:
“It is informed that these airports are now available for civil aircraft operations with immediate effect.”
The authority also advised travellers to check flight status directly with airlines, as schedules may be subject to change in the coming days.
Airlines, including IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, confirmed that services on the affected routes would gradually resume in compliance with the government directive.
Airports Affected by Temporary Shutdown
The list of temporarily closed airports included both civil and military airfields used for joint operations. Key locations affected were
- Awantipur Air Force Station (J&K)
- Ambala Domestic Airport (Haryana)
- Adampur Air Force Station (Punjab)
- Naliya Air Force Station (Gujarat)
- Sarsawa Airport (Uttar Pradesh)
- Those Air Force Station (Ladakh)
- Uttarlai Air Force Station (Rajasthan)
Additional airfields across Jammu, Leh, Srinagar, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Bathinda, Pathankot, and Jodhpur were also part of the restricted list.
A total of 32 airports and airfields faced operational suspensions, including eight newly added locations during the escalation phase.
Restoration of Air Routes and FIR Segments
The AAI has also reopened 25 Air Traffic Service (ATS) segments within the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions (FIRs). These routes were previously closed due to operational and security reasons, affecting hundreds of domestic and international flights.
According to aviation industry sources, the shutdown impacted over 450 domestic flights on May 8 alone, severely disrupting travel plans and leading to a dip in tourism and aviation stocks on May 9.
Heightened Security Measures Still in Place
Even though airports are now operational, security continues to remain tight. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) have implemented several enhanced protocols across the country’s airports:
- Secondary Ladder Point Security Check (LPSC) for all passengers
- Deployment of air marshals at key airports
- Ban on visitor entry to terminal buildings
- Increased surveillance and monitoring, especially in high-risk zones
These measures were enforced following reports of Pakistani drone activity near Jammu airport on the evening of May 8, which heightened national security concerns.
Airspace Restrictions with Pakistan Still in Effect
While both India and Pakistan have lifted internal NOTAMs to resume domestic flights, airspace bans on each other’s airlines remain intact. Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) cancelled its earlier NOTAM on May 10, allowing flights over its airspace, but the ban on Indian carriers remains listed as ‘valid’ on the PCAA database.
India has also not lifted its airspace ban on Pakistani airlines, which was originally imposed on April 24, indicating that full normalization of airspace usage may take longer.
Impact on Travellers and the Aviation Sector
The temporary suspension of 32 airports had a ripple effect on India’s travel and tourism industry. Flight cancellations, especially in northern and western India, led to passenger inconvenience and financial losses for carriers and tour operators.
Now that operations are resuming, airlines are working to reallocate fleet resources, adjust crew rosters, and clear backlogs of affected passengers.