Indigo and Air India resume flights as 32 border airports reopen following de-escalation
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India’s major airlines, IndiGo and Air India, announced on Monday that they are preparing to resume services at 32 airports that were previously shut down due to heightened military tensions along the Pakistan border.
The move comes after the central government lifted restrictions following a significant reduction in hostilities.
In separate statements, both airlines confirmed they are working toward a phased restoration of flight schedules in line with the government's latest directives. IndiGo noted that it would gradually resume operations on previously closed routes and advised travelers to frequently check flight statuses for real-time updates. The airline also extended change and cancellation fee waivers until May 22 for passengers flying to and from the affected airports.
Air India echoed the same cautious optimism. The Tata-owned carrier said it would begin restoring services to cities including Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot. It urged passengers to stay alert for further announcements as operations return to normal.
The Airports Authority of India confirmed that all 32 airports, which had been closed since May 9, are now open for civil aviation use. These airports include key strategic and civilian hubs such as Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Pathankot, Leh, and Bhuj, among others.
The closure was implemented after the Pahalgam massacre, in which 26 Indian tourists were killed by terrorists allegedly supported by Pakistan. This incident triggered cross-border drone and missile strikes, significantly escalating tensions between the two countries. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory military campaign aimed at neutralising threats along the border.
Following a ceasefire request from Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), the situation has largely calmed, prompting the Indian government to issue a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) for the reopening of airspace over sensitive regions.
“The night remained largely peaceful across Jammu and Kashmir and along the International Border,” the Indian Army reported on Monday, noting it was the first incident-free night in days.