200 flights cancelled after Operation Sindoor

More than 200 flights were canceled, and at least 18 airports — such as Srinagar, Leh, Amritsar, and Chandigarh — were closed temporarily on Wednesday due to missile strikes carried out by Indian military forces in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK).

The Indian military struck nine terrorist centers in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, which featured Jaish-e-Mohammad’s stronghold in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s headquarters in Muridke. The assault came after the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

The impact on air travel was instant and extensive. Air travel was halted at major northern and western airports such as Jammu, Pathankot, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Shimla, Dharamshala, and Jamnagar due to increased security measures.

Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and various international airlines suspended operations to and from impacted areas.

IndiGo alone scrubbed approximately 165 flights, whereas a source indicated that 35 flights to and from Delhi — the busiest airport in India — were cancelled from midnight until morning, comprising 23 domestic departures, eight arrivals, and four international flights. American Airlines and other international airlines also reduced their services.

Air India announced that it had halted flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot until 5:29 am on May 10, in compliance with directives from aviation authorities. Impacted travelers are being provided with a one-time rescheduling exemption or complete refunds.

IndiGo took similar measures, cancelling all operations for the day at key northern airports, including Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, and Jodhpur. “We are anticipating changes across our network,” the airline said on X, urging passengers to check real-time updates before travelling.

SpiceJet confirmed the closure of multiple northern airports — including Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar — “until further notice,” and promised refunds or alternate options. Akasa Air called off all its Srinagar flights, while regional operator Star Air cancelled services to and from Nanded, Hindon, Adampur, Kishangarh, and Bhuj.

Air India Express, too, reported several cancellations, particularly to Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, and Hindon. “Multiple flights on our network are impacted,” it said, without specifying a resumption timeline.