Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Following the India-Pakistan ceasefire announcement after Operation Sindoor, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) on Monday issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) reopening 32 airports that had been shut due to heightened security concerns.
Air operations resume at key strategic airports
AAI confirmed through a press release that airports across northern and western India that were temporarily closed from May 7 have now resumed normal operations. These closures affected over 200 commercial flights due to their proximity to border areas and strategic defence zones.
Airports now reopened
The airports include:
Udhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Avantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Jammu, Jamnagar, Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu-Manali (Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise, and Uttarlai.
Ceasefire leads to airspace de-escalation
The decision comes after relative peace was observed along the Line of Control (LoC) on Sunday, May 11, following the May 10 ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan post-Operation Sindoor. The initial closure, set to last until May 10 at 5:29 am, was later extended to May 15, but has now been lifted early due to de-escalation.
AAI advisory to travellers
AAI has advised passengers to check with airlines directly for updated flight schedules and to refer to airline websitesfor the latest information. Normal civilian air traffic operations at these airports have resumed with immediate effect.
Background
Operation Sindoor was launched in retaliation to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. Following the Indian military strike on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, several retaliatory attempts by Pakistan led to temporary airspace restrictions across sensitive Indian zones.
