32 Airports Resume Operations After India-Pakistan Ceasefire

After nearly two weeks of suspended operations due to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, 32 airports in northern and northwestern India have reopened for civil aviation. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed that airspace restrictions have now been lifted, following a mutual ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

The affected airports, including key hubs like Srinagar, Chandigarh, and Amritsar, are now fully functional for flight operations. AAI released a formal advisory this morning stating, “The temporary closure notice for 32 airports until 05:29 hrs of 15 May 2025 stands revoked. These airports are now open for civilian flights with immediate effect.”

Airports

Passengers have been advised to verify flight details directly with their respective airlines and check official websites for the latest updates. Low-cost carriers IndiGo and SpiceJet have already announced the resumption of services on several routes connected to these airports.

List of Reopened Airports
The complete list includes Jaisalmer, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Adhampur, Ambala, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Halwara, Hindon, Jammu, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Thoise, and Uttarlai.

Background: Operation Sindoor and Airspace Restrictions
The closures were initiated after India conducted “Operation Sindoor” — a targeted air campaign on terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, where 26 civilians lost their lives. The Indian military claimed the operation neutralized nearly 100 militants from groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

As tensions flared, both nations implemented strict airspace controls. India barred Pakistani aircraft from using its air routes on April 30. Reports also indicated that Pakistan had sealed its entire airspace amid fears of further escalation, allegedly using civilian aircraft as shields for military operations.

Return to Normalcy Underway
Airport authorities and airline operators are now working to restore pre-conflict schedules, including reassigning flight slots, deploying staff, and managing passenger flow. The initial closures began on Friday with 24 airports, expanding to 32 the next day through a series of NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen).

Although the skies are calmer now, officials remain cautious. The Indian Army described Sunday night as the first “largely peaceful” one along the Line of Control in recent days, with no major incidents reported in Jammu and Kashmir or other border regions.