India Shuts 24 Airports as India-Pakistan Tensions Spike After Drone and Missile Strikes
Amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions, India closed 24 airports after Pakistani drone and missile attacks; airlines cancel flights, urging passengers to prepare for delays.
India Shuts 24 Airports Amid Pakistan Drone Attacks: What Travelers Need to Know
As tensions between India and Pakistan surged dangerously on Thursday evening, the Indian government took the extraordinary step of closing 24 airports across the country to civil flight operations. This sweeping decision followed a confirmed Pakistani drone and missile attack that rattled cities in Jammu, Punjab, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, prompting immediate military and civilian responses.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced the closures late Thursday, while defense officials scrambled to bolster air defense systems and ensure civilian safety. Airports affected include major hubs like Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Jodhpur, and Leh — signaling just how wide-ranging the precautionary lockdown was.
A Night of Blackouts, Sirens, and Interrupted Life
It all began with Indian defense systems intercepting a suspected drone and missile incursion over Jammu. By evening, local media and the PTI news agency reported explosions near Punjab, sensitive areas of Rajasthan, and several border-adjacent zones, triggering air raid sirens and blackouts.
Most dramatically, an Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket match in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh — one of the most watched sporting events in the country — was abruptly suspended, underscoring the depth of public disruption.
Experts say this marks the sharpest escalation since the Kargil conflict in 1999. Defense analyst Dr. Ajay Mehta told Devdiscourse, “The cross-border dynamic is no longer confined to skirmishes; we are seeing the increasing use of asymmetric tools like drones and missile volleys that blur the line between conventional and hybrid warfare.”
Airports Closed: Full List and Impact on Travel
The airports shut down for civil flights include:
Chandigarh
Srinagar
Amritsar
Ludhiana
Bhuntar
Kishengarh
Patiala
Shimla
Kangra-Gaggal
Bathinda
Jaisalmer
Jodhpur
Bikaner
Halwara
Pathankot
Jammu
Leh
Mundra
Jamnagar
Hirasa (Rajkot)
Porbandar
Keshod
Kandla
Bhuj
Many of these airports lie close to the western border or in strategically sensitive locations, reflecting India’s efforts to prioritize defense readiness and civilian protection.
Passenger Advisory: Expect Delays, Cancellations, and Stringent Security
In urgent advisories, major airlines including IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air notified passengers that flights from affected airports would remain suspended until at least Saturday. IndiGo urged passengers to arrive at operational airports with extra time, highlighting “heightened security measures across all airports.”
On Wednesday alone, IndiGo canceled 165 flights. Air India and Air India Express also reported significant disruptions, with two Air India international flights en route from Amritsar diverted to New Delhi. “We are working to accommodate passengers under these extraordinary circumstances and appreciate their patience,” an Air India spokesperson said.
Travel experts advise passengers to check airline websites or apps regularly, maintain flexibility with travel plans, and brace for longer check-in and security procedures.
Operation Sindoor: The Military Backdrop
The drone and missile escalation didn’t arise in a vacuum. Just one day prior, India had launched Operation Sindoor, a high-profile military strike targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
This action was a direct response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which left at least 14 Indian soldiers dead and dozens injured. According to military sources, Operation Sindoor aimed to neutralize key terror camps and signal India’s growing intolerance for cross-border provocations.
Dr. Mehta emphasized, “This is a cycle of retaliation — one side escalates, the other counters, and the danger is that it spirals into an uncontrollable conflict. The international community, especially the U.S. and UN, must intervene diplomatically to reduce the temperature.”
Drones and Missiles: The Growing Threat
The use of drones and missiles is transforming South Asia’s security environment. A 2024 report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) noted a sharp increase in drone procurement by both India and Pakistan, with China playing a central role as a supplier.
Recent military exercises suggest India is investing heavily in electronic warfare systems designed to jam or intercept drone swarms. However, Thursday’s events revealed the challenges of fully neutralizing such threats.
“The combination of speed, low cost, and precision makes drones especially dangerous in this theater,” said Professor Rani Kumar, an expert on regional security at Jawaharlal Nehru University. “Missile defense can intercept some, but not all — and even one breakthrough can have serious consequences.”
What’s Next? Diplomatic and Regional Fallout
With airports closed, civilian life disrupted, and military forces on high alert, the question becomes: what comes next?
Analysts believe India will ramp up diplomatic efforts, possibly bringing the issue to the United Nations Security Council, while Pakistan is likely to deny culpability or frame the attacks as retaliation for Indian actions. Meanwhile, Washington, London, and Beijing have all urged “maximum restraint,” though behind-the-scenes pressure could intensify.
Civilian groups in both countries are calling for de-escalation. The South Asian Peace Collective (SAPC), a regional NGO, issued a statement Thursday night urging leaders “to pull back from the brink before more lives are lost.”
A Region on Edge, A World Watching
The closure of 24 Indian airports following Pakistani drone and missile attacks marks a sobering moment in South Asian geopolitics. What began as cross-border tensions has now escalated into a high-stakes standoff with global implications.
For travelers, the immediate priority is staying informed and patient amid flight disruptions. For policymakers, the focus must shift to diplomatic channels and conflict prevention. And for the world, these events serve as a stark reminder of how fragile regional peace can be — and how quickly it can unravel.
As the situation evolves, all eyes will remain on New Delhi and Islamabad, watching whether cooler heads prevail or the region slips further into crisis.
(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and reflects developments as of May 2025. Readers should consult official government advisories and airline updates before making travel decisions.)
Also Read: India-Pakistan Escalation: Drone Attacks, Blackouts, and Retaliatory Strikes