Operation Sindoor: IndiGo scraps flights in 11 cities, Mumbai ATC chokes, Lucknow issues passenger alert
Indian airports are under high alert after Pakistan¡¯s drone attack on border states. Several flights have been cancelled or delayed. Airlines have issued advisories, while security checks have intensified and operations in multiple airports have been suspended.
Indian airports are witnessing heightened security and partial shutdowns after a drone strike by Pakistan on Thursday targeted several cities in Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan. In response, India carried out airstrikes on nine terror infrastructures operated by Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Following this escalation, a countrywide alert has been issued. Several airports have suspended operations while airlines have cancelled many flights due to airspace restrictions in the northern and western parts of India.
Flight cancellations and advisories
A total of 138 flights have been cancelled so far due to the security situation. Major Indian airlines including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet have confirmed cancellations and delays for the next few days. Passengers flying to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, and Rajkot will be affected, with all flights to these destinations cancelled until 23:59 hours of May 10, 2025, according to an update by IndiGo on X (formerly Twitter).
#6ETravelAdvisory: Your safety is paramount. Flights to/from the following cities are cancelled until 2359 hrs on 10th May. We are here to help you travel with ease. Check flight status here https://t.co/ll3K8PwtRV. To rebook or claim a refund, visit https://t.co/51Q3oUe0lP. pic.twitter.com/v5BSdX3dDo
¡ª IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) May 9, 2025
Airlines have also announced one-time waivers for flight rescheduling charges and have provided guidance on availing refunds. They have advised travellers to contact their respective airlines for accurate, up-to-date information.
Impact on key airports
The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi has increased its security arrangements following the drone attack. Meanwhile, Mumbai¡¯s Air Traffic Control (ATC) is witnessing a surge in traffic due to rerouting of international flights, as Pakistani airspace remains closed since last month.
In Gujarat, airports in seven cities have been shut down, namely Jamnagar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Porbandar, Keshod, Kandla, Bhuj, and Mundra (Adani). These closures are contributing to the widespread disruption of flight operations.
Lucknow airport guidelines
The Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow remains operational but has issued an advisory for passengers. In light of increased security protocols, the airport has warned of longer wait times. Travellers have been urged to:
- Arrive early for security checks
- Cooperate with staff and follow official updates
- Check social media channels and contact airlines for real-time updates
National response measures
Security at all airports has been intensified. A multi-layered air defence network has been activated as part of India¡¯s response strategy. The situation remains dynamic, and passengers are advised to stay alert and informed through verified sources.
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Nancy Jaiswal is a journalist who started her career in reporting and has covered both hard and soft news. From serious city news developments to lighthearted lifestyle pieces, she has written on almost everything hapenning in India (except maybe alien invasions¡ªyet!). For her, writing isn¡¯t just work; it¡¯s a passion, an obsession, and sometimes the reason she forgets to reply to texts.
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