Full List and Flight Resumption Updates: Civilian air traffic to resume as Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet prepare to restart operations amid enhanced security protocols
Following the India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement, the Indian government has lifted flight restrictions on 32 airports across the northern and north-western regions of the country, paving the way for airlines to gradually resume operations, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
On Monday morning, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) revoked the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that had temporarily suspended civilian flight operations to 32 key airports until May 15, 5:29 am, citing national security concerns following military tensions with Pakistan.
The airspace shutdown, implemented on May 7, disrupted over 500 flights, grounding operations at major airports including Srinagar, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jammu, Leh, and Jaisalmer. Airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet have confirmed that flight services will progressively resume, advising passengers to check flight statuses through official channels.
CHIAL (Chandigarh International Airport Limited) confirmed the recommencement of services from Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Chandigarh at 10:30 am on May 12, while similar updates were issued for Srinagar International Airport, where NOTAMs have also been withdrawn.
Airports Authority of India revokes NOTAMs issued after May 7 shutdown; airlines begin prepping flight schedules for Srinagar, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Leh, and more
Airlines Announce Progressive Resumption of Flights
- Air India stated it is working to restart flights to Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot.
- IndiGo announced: “In line with the latest government directives, airports are open for operations. We will progressively commence operations on previously closed routes.”
- SpiceJet said it is actively coordinating with authorities to resume services, thanking passengers for their patience.
List of Reopened Airports Post-Ceasefire
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, Uttarlai.
Heightened Airport Security Measures in Effect
In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have issued enhanced security guidelines:
- Secondary Ladder Point Checks (SLPC) mandatory at all airports
- Visitor access to terminals banned
- Air Marshals to be deployed based on threat priority
- Continuous monitoring via CCTV surveillance systems
- CISF tasked with additional responsibilities, including cargo and hold baggage screening at 69 civil airports until May 18
The enhanced measures, initiated through BCAS directives on May 9, aim to bolster counter-terror efforts amid a sensitive regional security situation.