The recent military escalation between India and Pakistan, triggered by the launch of Operation Sindoor, has severely disrupted air travel across South Asia, grounding dozens of flights and causing widespread delays. The operation, carried out by Indian forces on May 7, 2025, in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, targeted suspected militant infrastructure in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and eastern Punjab. The fallout has rippled across domestic and international aviation networks, particularly impacting Delhi International Airport, regional hubs, and international carriers.
In the immediate aftermath of the strikes, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered the closure of 27 airports, primarily across northern India, including facilities such as Amritsar, Jammu, Leh, Rajkot, Shimla, and Dharamshala. The closures are expected to remain in place until Saturday morning, with potential extensions depending on security assessments.
Delhi International Airport, India’s busiest, bore the brunt of the disruption. Between 8 am and 2 pm on Thursday, a total of 90 flights were cancelled, including 46 domestic departures, 33 domestic arrivals, and 11 international flights. In a statement released on social media platform X, Delhi Airport noted, “Operations across terminals and runways are proceeding as usual,” but acknowledged that changing airspace conditions were forcing significant alterations to flight schedules. The airport also urged passengers to stay in touch with their airlines for the latest updates.
Flag Carrier Air India Air India suspended flights to key northern cities including Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot. The airline cited a government-issued NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) restricting operations in this area until May 10. Other carriers, such as IndiGo and SpiceJet, also rerouted or cancelled flights due to the volatile situation and limited airspace availability.
International airlines have similarly been affected. British Airways cancelled its Heathrow-Islamabad service on May 7, citing security concerns amid the escalating India-Pakistan conflict. Flights between the UK and India are still operational but are experiencing significant delays. BA142, the Delhi-London service, departed more than two hours late and arrived three hours behind schedule, causing numerous missed connections at London Heathrow.
Airlines that usually traverse Pakistani and Indian airspace have also had to alter their routes. After diverting to Doha to avoid conflict zones, a Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur to London experienced a nearly four-hour delay. The flight path for this route traditionally crosses central Pakistan and northern India, which have now become high-risk areas due to the missile strikes and military activity.
Other global carriers, including Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines, have taken precautionary steps by diverting or cancelling flights to Islamabad. Aircraft scheduled to land in the Pakistani capital were redirected back to Doha and Istanbul, respectively, as Islamabad’s airport temporarily suspended operations. Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that its airspace would remain closed for at least 48 hours, with over two dozen commercial flights either grounded or diverted.
Meanwhile, Gulf carriers like Etihad Airways also cancelled flights to and from Islamabad and reported extended delays for services to Lahore, further straining connectivity in the region. These delays and cancellations are expected to have a knock-on effect on connecting flights across the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
The impact on tourism-related travel has also been significant. Although the typical season for British holidaymakers in India is winding down due to rising temperatures, adventure travel and trekking tours in the Himalayas are underway. Operators such as Intrepid Travel have confirmed rerouted itineraries, avoiding affected regions such as Kashmir and the Attari-Wagah border, which remains closed.
With security measures tightening and the possibility of further escalation, airlines are continuing to monitor the situation. Most carriers have adopted flexible cancellation and rescheduling policies for affected passengers. The Foreign Office has reiterated its warning against all non-essential travel to affected areas, especially within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border and 10 miles of the Line of Control (LoC).
As tensions remain high, passengers with upcoming travel plans to or through India and Pakistan are strongly urged to check with their airlines, follow government travel advisories, and prepare for last-minute changes. The situation remains fluid, and the aviation industry is on high alert as both countries navigate one of the most dangerous escalations recently.
