Our Bureau
New Delhi
With the escalating tensions and ongoing conflict between Indian and Pakistan, Indian Government has taken many decisions in national interest, one such was announced by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The Airports Authority of India in order to safeguard select airports and keep them ready for any military use announced the closure of 32 airports in the Northern and Western regions of the country temporarily until further notice.
The authorities have issued a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) regarding the closures of 32 airports which will be effective from 9th May, 2025 to 14th May, 2025. The list of all 32 airports include Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise and Uttarlai.
It was also informed by the Airport Authorities of India that 25 segments of Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes within the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions (FIRs) will be closed temporarily due to operational reasons. It was also stated that these 25 routes will remain suspended from ground level to unlimited altitude until 14th May 2025. They have also advised all the airlines and flight operators to seek out alternate routes.
All of these measures were taken because of the ongoing conflict with Pakistan as Pakistan has been attacking several locations in Northern and Western India with drones and missiles. Around 300 to 400 drones were deployed by Pakistan to target 36 locations in various cities from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat out of which many were intercepted by the Indian defence system.
As per the latest reports on the conflict, both countries have agreed to a ceasefire after a call was made from Pakistan’s DGMO in the afternoon after which the ceasefire agreement was reached. This ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump.
