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Mumbai Airport Issues Advisory Amid India-Pakistan Tensions: Key Do’s & Don’ts

Heightened Security Measures The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has implemented enhanced security protocols across Indian airports. These include mandatory Secondary Ladder Point Checks (SLPC) for all passengers and a restriction on visitor entry into terminal buildings. Travelers are strongly advised to arrive at least three hours before departure to account for the increased security checks. Flight Operations and Airport Closures Amid escalating tensions, 32 airports in northern and western India—including Srinagar and Amritsar—have been closed for civilian flight operations until May 15. This has led to significant flight disruptions. Airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa Air have released advisories and adjusted their flight schedules accordingly. Do's for Passengers Arrive Early: Reach the airport well in advance to complete security procedures. Carry Valid ID: Keep government-issued photo identification and boarding passes easily accessible. Pack Smart: Follow security guidelines; liquids in carry-on bags should be limited to 100ml containers and stored in a clear zip-lock bag. Stay Informed: Regularly check updates from official airport and airline channels. Don'ts for Passengers Avoid Last-Minute Arrivals: Arriving late may result in missed flights due to extended security screening. Do Not Share Unverified Information: Avoid spreading rumors or unconfirmed reports that could cause unnecessary alarm. International Impact The situation has also affected global air travel. Several international airlines, including Lufthansa and Air France, are rerouting flights to avoid Pakistani airspace. This has resulted in longer flight durations and potential delays.

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Delhi Airport Warns of Flight Changes, Long Wait Times

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has issued a travel advisory amid heightened security concerns stemming from escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. While operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) remain normal, passengers are advised to prepare for potential flight schedule adjustments and extended wait times at security checkpoints due to evolving airspace dynamics and stricter protocols mandated by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. Business Standard Key Points for Travelers: Stay Informed: Regularly check for updates through your airline's communication channels and the official Delhi Airport website. Business Standard Arrive Early: Plan to reach the airport well in advance to accommodate possible security delays. Business Standard Follow Baggage Guidelines: Adhere to prescribed guidelines for cabin and check-in baggage to ensure smooth security checks. Business Standard Cooperate with Personnel: Extend full cooperation to airline and security staff to facilitate efficient processing. Business Standard Avoid Spreading Unverified Information: Rely exclusively on official updates for accurate information and refrain from circulating unverified content. Passengers are encouraged to remain vigilant and patient during this period to ensure their safety and the smooth functioning of airport operations.

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Qatar Airways Halts India-Pakistan Flights Amid Rising Tensions

Qatar Airways has extended the suspension of its flights to and from several cities in Pakistan and India due to escalating geopolitical tensions and the ongoing airspace restrictions imposed by both nations. The airline, which had initially adjusted its operations to reflect the cross-border situation, confirmed that its services to major destinations in both countries, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Amritsar, and more, would remain suspended until further notice. This decision comes as Pakistan’s aviation authorities have closed the country’s airspace until 12:00 pm on May 11, 2025, and India’s Airports Authority has shut down 32 airports in the northern and western regions until May 15, 2025. With airspace restrictions affecting the movement of aircraft in and out of the region, Qatar Airways prioritized the safety and security of its passengers, opting to extend its flight suspension to ensure a safe travel experience amidst the ongoing instability. Qatar Airways has made the decision to extend the temporary suspension of its flights between Doha and several major destinations in Pakistan and India, in response to the rising tensions between the two neighboring countries. This move comes as both countries have taken steps to close parts of their airspace, further complicating travel and forcing the airline to adjust its operations.

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“Resume operation at Amritsar airport” says Punjab MP

Despite the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, air traffic is yet to resume at Sri Guru Ramdas Jee International Airport here. With activists and traders demanding to resume the operations, Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Chairman of the Advisory Committee of Airport, also met officials. He demanded from the government to resume operations at the airport. MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla claimed that the situation is completely under control, no one needs to panic. He said the Amritsar airport is the backbone of the holy city because the whole economy depends on it. That is why he also appeals to the media not to run any such news about the airport which causes panic. He said now when the whole atmosphere is completely calm, he will demand to run this airport on a priority basis. MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla said the Lahore airport is working in Pakistan, but almost all the airports in border areas of India are closed, which was also necessary but he would like to say that looking at the situation, some flights should be allowed to operate. He said people also want peace and war is not a solution to any issue. There is no doubt that this war was imposed on India because civilians were being attacked repeatedly. There is a big problem of drugs, youngsters are being targeted, so people want a solution to all these issues and that is why the war was imposed. Aujla said he wants the airport to open as soon as possible but he knows that the decision will be taken when the situation returns to normal completely. He knows that without the airport, the business of Amritsar is closing down due to which labour may also go back which will be difficult to call back and start the industry, that is why he also wants that these issues should be resolved as soon as possible. MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla said about the increasing rates of flights that whenever difficult times come, many people hoard food items, while many do hoard by increasing the rates of travel fares. To stop this, he has formed a group of MPs from every border area and a big campaign will be launched against this so that a law can be made against them and anti-national charges can be registered against them as well.

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India Begins Reopening 32 Airports After Temporary Closure

New Delhi, May 12, 2025 – India has started reopening 32 airports that were temporarily shut following heightened tensions with Pakistan earlier this month. The move comes after a period of calm along the border and the completion of precision strikes under Operation Sindoor. The Airports Authority of India (AAI), responsible for issuing aviation advisories, released multiple Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) on Monday, signaling the resumption of operations at several airports across northern and western India. The reopening comes just days after the temporary airspace curbs were extended until May 15 amid escalating conflict. Background: Operation Sindoor and Airspace Closures The airport closures were a direct consequence of Indian airstrikes carried out on May 7, targeting nine terror sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These strikes were launched in retaliation for a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22. The military operation prompted fears of a larger conflict, with both countries exchanging missile fire and deploying long-range weapons. In response, the Indian government suspended civil aviation activity in vulnerable regions to ensure civilian safety. Reopening Orders Issued AAI officials confirmed that they have begun reopening airports in phases, starting with locations under the Mumbai Flight Information Region. These include: Mundra Jamnagar Rajkot Porbandar Kandla Keshod Bhuj In another round of notifications, the following airports were cleared to resume operations: Srinagar Jammu Hindon Sarsawa Uttarlai Awantipur Ambala Kullu Ludhiana Kishangarh Patiala Shimla Kangra Bathinda Jaisalmer Jodhpur Bikaner Halwara Pathankot Leh Chandigarh Airlines are expected to take additional time to resume full services, as they must rework flight schedules and logistics before commercial flights can operate. “Reopening an airport is relatively quick on the operational side,” said an AAI official. “However, airlines need a few hours to prepare and resume routes.” Additionally, 25 international and domestic flight corridors, previously suspended, have also been reopened. IAF Confirms Stability on Border The Indian Air Force (IAF) issued a statement Monday morning confirming a quiet night across Jammu and Kashmir and other border regions. “No hostile activities were observed,” the statement noted, highlighting it as the first peaceful night in several days. This improved security outlook played a crucial role in the government’s decision to relax airspace restrictions and restart flight operations. Delhi Airport Functional but Cautious Although Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport remained operational throughout the conflict, many flight schedules were disrupted due to rerouting and heightened security protocols. Passengers faced longer check-in lines and thorough baggage checks. As per Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) guidelines issued last week, enhanced security measures will remain in place until May 18. These include: Suspension of visitor entry into airports Additional screening at boarding gates A one-time waiver for ticket rescheduling or cancellation Mandatory early arrival (at least three hours before departure) Closure of check-in counters 75 minutes before departure Pakistan Airspace Remains Closed to Indian Carriers Despite Pakistan reopening its airspace for international carriers on Saturday, Indian airlines continue to face restrictions. All Indian carriers and Indian-registered aircraft have been barred from using Pakistan’s airspace since April 24, adding significant detours to long-haul flights to the West. As a result, Indian flights to Europe, North America, and Canada now reroute southward via Mumbai’s airspace, the Arabian Sea, and Muscat, extending travel times and fuel usage. List of Airports Previously Closed The following 32 airports were temporarily shut due to conflict-related concerns: Adhampur Ambala Amritsar Awantipur Bathinda Bhuj Bikaner Chandigarh Halwara Hindon Jaisalmer Jammu Jamnagar Jodhpur Kandla Kangra (Gaggal) Keshod Kishangarh Kullu Manali (Bhuntar) Leh Ludhiana Mundra Naliya Pathankot Patiala Porbandar Rajkot (Hirasar) Sarsawa Shimla Srinagar Thoise Uttarlai Looking Ahead The gradual reopening of air travel routes is a sign of de-escalation in the region. However, officials remain cautious, citing the ongoing airspace restrictions imposed by Pakistan and the evolving geopolitical situation. Airline operations are expected to stabilize in the coming days, provided no new escalations occur. The government continues to monitor the situation closely and has assured the public that passenger safety remains its top priority.

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Air Astana suspends Delhi flights until May 18, continues Mumbai operations with route changes

Air Astana has announced updates to its flight operations to and from India in response to recent airspace restrictions in the region. The airline will continue to operate flights KC 291/292 on the Almaty–Mumbai–Almaty route three times a week: on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, via a longer alternative route. These flights will be serviced by Airbus A320 and Airbus A321LR aircraft. However, regular flights KC 907/908 and KC 963/964 on the Almaty–Delhi–Almaty route will be temporarily suspended from 9 to 18 May 2025. Passengers booked on these cancelled services will be offered a full refund or complimentary rebooking on alternative dates. To support the return of Kazakh citizens and Air Astana passengers, the airline will operate three special repatriation flights between Almaty and Delhi.

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