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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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India Ramps Up Crisis Response With Powerful Special Train Services Ensuring Safe Passenger Movement During Nationwide Air Travel Disruptions

In the wake of widespread airspace closures and escalating regional conflict, India has swiftly launched high-speed special train operations to safeguard the movement of thousands of stranded passengers. With over twenty-five northern airports shut down and air travel severely disrupted, Indian Railways has stepped in as a critical lifeline, providing safe, timely, and efficient transportation during this national emergency. In response to the escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border and widespread air travel disruptions across northern India, Indian Railways has rapidly mobilized to deploy a series of special train services to ensure the safe and timely movement of stranded passengers. This urgent initiative is part of a broader national strategy to maintain essential connectivity during a period marked by heightened security risks and restricted mobility. Advertisement The announcement comes in the wake of the recent military operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor, launched on 7 May 2025, targeting militant installations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The cross-border conflict has resulted in substantial infrastructural damage and reported casualties on both sides. Retaliatory artillery fire from Pakistan has led to multiple civilian injuries and fatalities within India, triggering nationwide emergency responses, including the suspension of air travel across the region. As a direct consequence of the unfolding crisis, over twenty-five airports in northern India, including key facilities in Jammu and Kashmir, were abruptly shut down. The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that these closures will remain in effect at least until 10 May 2025, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of domestic and international flights. With air traffic severely compromised and major highways under strict military surveillance, the movement of civilians has become increasingly challenging. To mitigate these disruptions and offer citizens an alternative means of long-distance transportation, Indian Railways has introduced multiple emergency train services. These special trains are strategically designed to manage increased passenger volumes and ensure continued access between critical northern cities and the national capital.

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India launches nationwide rollout of chip-based e-passports to boost security

India has commenced the phased rollout of e-passports, integrating advanced security features through embedded Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips and antennas. These chip-based passports combine physical and electronic documentation, offering dual-layer data protection by storing information both in printed form and encrypted within the chip. This significantly strengthens security, making forgery attempts more difficult. The e-Passports adhere to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, enabling seamless interoperability with international e-passport verification systems and automated border control facilities. Initially launched as a pilot program on April 01, 2024, under the Passport Seva Program (PSP) Version 2.0, the initiative began in twelve cities, including Chennai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Amritsar, and Goa. Regional Passport Offices in these cities and in Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Shimla, Raipur, Surat, and Ranchi are now issuing e-Passports. In Tamil Nadu, e-Passport issuance began on March 03, 2025, at the Chennai Regional Passport Office. As of March 22, 2025, 20,729 e-Passports have been issued within the state.

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Vietnam Airlines launches nonstop flights from Hyderabad to Hanoi

Strengthening its footprint in the Indian market, Vietnam Airlines has officially launched direct flight services from Hyderabad to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, starting yesterday. This new route marks the airline’s fourth gateway in India, after Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, and reinforces its commitment to enhancing connectivity between India and Vietnam. The nonstop service will operate three times a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Airport launch VN Hyd to Hanoi To commemorate the inaugural flight, a celebratory event was held at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, featuring traditional welcome ceremonies and a ribbon-cutting to mark the arrival of the maiden Vietnam Airlines flight. Passengers were greeted with souvenirs and a warm reception, showcasing the airline’s signature hospitality. Airport launch VN Hyd to Hanoi As part of the launch celebrations, Vietnam Airlines also organized a special luncheon at ITC Kohenur, bringing together key travel agents and industry stakeholders from Hyderabad. The event served as a valuable networking opportunity to strengthen partnerships and promote future collaboration in the region. Speaking at the launch event, Nguyen Trung Hieu, Country Manager – India, Vietnam Airlines, said, “India continues to be a key growth region for Vietnam Airlines, and we are excited to commence direct flights from Hyderabad—one of India’s most vibrant and fastest-growing cities. Known for its rich cultural heritage, thriving tech ecosystem, and cosmopolitan spirit, Hyderabad serves as an important gateway to southern India. Following our growing presence in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, this launch further reinforces our network expansion across the country and strengthens our commitment to enhancing connectivity between Vietnam and India. We look forward to welcoming travelers onboard and delivering the signature service and hospitality that Vietnam Airlines is known for throughout the globe.”

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