MUMBAI: Multiple airports situated in India's northern and western states were shut down on May 7, following the military air strikes by India on Pakistani territories through "Operation Sindoor". The scenario turned more precarious along the border between India and Pakistan. Thus, civil air traffic was ordered to be shut down in sensitive areas.
Air India announced cancellation of all flights to and from major cities including Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh and Rajkot up to at least noon today. These are all states adjoining Pakistan and generally sensitive during cross-border military activities.
Flight tracking platforms like Flightradar24 showed significant emptiness of flights over regions like Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh. In Rajasthan and Gujarat, a few flights flew away from the well-established border areas.
Airports in Jammu, Amritsar, Pathankot, Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Rajkot, and Porbandar have been immediately shut down. No official order has yet been rendered from the Ministry of Civil Aviation on the same.
The airspace closures appear to be a precautionary measure to prevent civilian aircraft from being caught in potential crossfire or retaliation. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, and updates are expected later in the day.
This development marks a significant escalation in regional security concerns and has led to disruptions in travel plans for hundreds of passengers across the country.
[Source Credit: CNBCTV18]
