On May 7 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a surprise military strike targeting nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir, following a deadly attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. The operation hit strongholds of groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
In response, the Indian government issued a red alert in several states, including Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Delhi, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. As a result, 32 airports across northern, western, and central India are temporarily closed until May 15, 2025. Schools in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Kashmir have also been shut until further notice.
Major airlines including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air have cancelled hundreds of flights, offering refunds and rescheduling options. Around 430 flights were cancelled on Thursday alone.
Complete List of Temporarily Closed Airports
| No. | Location | State/UT | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adampur | Punjab | Military Airbase |
| 2 | Ambala | Haryana | Military Airbase |
| 3 | Amritsar | Punjab | Civilian Airport |
| 4 | Awantipur | Jammu & Kashmir | Military Airbase |
| 5 | Bathinda (Bhisiana) | Punjab | Military Airbase |
| 6 | Bhuj | Gujarat | Dual-use Facility |
| 7 | Bikaner (Nal) | Rajasthan | Dual-use Facility |
| 8 | Chandigarh | Chandigarh | Civilian Airport |
| 9 | Halwara | Punjab | Military Airbase |
| 10 | Hindon (Ghaziabad) | Uttar Pradesh | Dual-use Facility |
| 11 | Jaisalmer | Rajasthan | Dual-use Facility |
| 12 | Jammu | Jammu & Kashmir | Dual-use Facility |
| 13 | Jamnagar | Gujarat | Dual-use Facility |
| 14 | Jodhpur | Rajasthan | Dual-use Facility |
| 15 | Kandla | Gujarat | Civilian Airport |
| 16 | Kangra (Gaggal) | Himachal Pradesh | Civilian Airport |
| 17 | Keshod | Gujarat | Civilian Airport |
| 18 | Kishangarh | Rajasthan | Civilian Airport |
| 19 | Kullu Manali (Bhuntar) | Himachal Pradesh | Civilian Airport |
| 20 | Leh | Ladakh | Dual-use Facility |
| 21 | Ludhiana | Punjab | Civilian Airport |
| 22 | Mundra | Gujarat | Civilian Airport |
| 23 | Naliya | Gujarat | Military Airbase |
| 24 | Pathankot | Punjab | Dual-use Facility |
| 25 | Patiala | Punjab | Civilian Airport |
| 26 | Porbandar | Gujarat | Dual-use Facility |
| 27 | Rajkot (Hirasar) | Gujarat | Civilian Airport |
| 28 | Sarsawa | Uttar Pradesh | Military Airbase |
| 29 | Shimla | Himachal Pradesh | Civilian Airport |
| 30 | Srinagar | Jammu & Kashmir | Dual-use Facility |
| 31 | Thoise | Ladakh | Military Airbase |
| 32 | Uttarlai (Barmer) | Rajasthan | Military Airbase |
Travelers are advised to check flight status before heading to the airport.
