NEW DELHI—Air India (AI), SpiceJet (SG), and IndiGo (6E) issued travel advisories due to airport closures in northern India, including Srinagar (SXR) and Amritsar (ATQ), amid India-Pakistan tensions. The disruptions, linked to Operation Sindoor, affected flights and prompted passengers to check their statuses.
This article details the travel advisories from Air India (AI), SpiceJet (SG), and IndiGo (6E), the operational impacts on northern Indian airports, and the context of the India-Pakistan tensions. It highlights the airlines’ responses and passenger guidance.
Photo: Harsh Tekriwal | AvgeekwithLensIndian Airlines Cancels Flights
The flight disruptions stem from escalating tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
India’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that Operation Sindoor targeted 9 terrorist camps in Pakistan, describing the strikes as precise and non-escalatory.
The airspace restrictions have increased flight durations by up to 2.5 hours for routes to Europe, North America, and the Middle East, raising fuel costs and airfares by an estimated 8–12%.
Indian airlines face weekly losses of ₹80–100 crore if the closure persists, while foreign carriers with overflight rights, like Emirates (EK) and Qatar Airways (QR), continue unaffected, gaining a competitive edge.
Airports Closures
Following India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan on May 7, 2025, Air India (AI), SpiceJet (SG), and IndiGo (6E) announced significant disruptions to flight operations in northern India.
The operation, a response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen, led to heightened security measures and airspace restrictions. Airports in Dharamshala (DHM), Leh (IXL), Jammu (IXJ), Srinagar (SXR), Amritsar (ATQ), Chandigarh (IXC), and Bikaner (BKB) faced closures or restrictions, impacting departures, arrivals, and connecting flights.
Air India (AI) suspended all flights to and from Jammu (IXJ), Srinagar (SXR), Leh (IXL), Jodhpur (JDH), Amritsar (ATQ), Bhuj (BHJ), Jamnagar (JGA), Chandigarh (IXC), and Rajkot (RAJ) until at least noon on May 7, 2025, citing security concerns.
Two international flights bound for Amritsar (ATQ) were diverted to Delhi (DEL). IndiGo (6E) and SpiceJet (SG) reported similar impacts, with IndiGo noting that approximately 50 international routes could face delays or schedule adjustments due to airspace restrictions.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalAirlines Response
Air India
Air India (AI) diverted two international flights originally destined for Amritsar (ATQ) to Delhi (DEL). On the social media platform X, Air India (AI) urged passengers to check flight statuses before heading to airports, emphasising that safety remains the top priority. The airline is exploring alternative routes, including potential refuelling stops in Mumbai (BOM) or Ahmedabad (AMD), to mitigate the impact of airspace closures.
#TravelAdvisory
In view of the prevailing situation, Air India has cancelled all its flights to and from the following stations – Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh and Rajkot – till 12 noon on 7 May, pending further updates from authorities.…
— Air India (@airindia) May 6, 2025
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalIndiGo
IndiGo (6E) issued advisories for flights to and from Srinagar (SXR), Jammu (IXJ), Amritsar (ATQ), Leh (IXL), Chandigarh (IXC), Dharamshala (DHM), and Bikaner (BKB).
The airline cancelled flights to Almaty (ALA) and Tashkent (TAS) until at least May 7, 2025, as these routes are now out of range for its Airbus A320 fleet due to longer detour routes.
#6ETravelAdvisory: Due to changing airspace conditions in the region, our flights to and from #Srinagar, #Jammu, #Amritsar, #Leh, #Chandigarh and #Dharamshala are impacted. We request you to check your flight status at https://t.co/CjwsVzFov0 before reaching the airport.
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) May 6, 2025
SpiceJet
SpiceJet (SG) advised passengers of potential disruptions at northern airports, including Dharamshala (DHM), Leh (IXL), Jammu (IXJ), Srinagar (SXR), and Amritsar (ATQ), which remained closed until further notice.
The airline extended waivers on rescheduling and cancellations for Srinagar (SXR) flights and operated an additional flight to Delhi (DEL) to reduce passenger inconvenience.
#TravelUpdate: The affected passengers can opt for a full refund or an alternate flight (as per availability) through https://t.co/Qu3bOTyk2z or via our 24/7 customer care helpline +91 (0)124 4983410/+91 (0)124 7101600. https://t.co/EK1LYbgSGL
— SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) May 7, 2025
Future Outlook
Indian airlines are adapting to the challenges through schedule adjustments, additional fuel provisions, and enhanced passenger communication.
Air India (AI) is considering routes over Chinese airspace, pending approval, to bypass Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, such routes require safety modifications, including increased oxygen supplies for high-altitude flights.
As tensions persist, the Indian aviation industry braces for higher operational costs and potential shifts in premium travel to foreign carriers. The coming weeks will determine the trajectory of these disruptions, with airlines focused on stabilising operations and supporting passengers.
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Pakistan Airspace Closure to Cost Indian Airlines Around $800 Million Annually
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