In a move that may affect travel plans for many, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has announced a temporary suspension of civil flight operations at 32 airports across northern and western India. The suspension, which took effect from May 9 and will continue until the early hours of May 15, 2025, is due to operational requirements. This decision, though necessary, comes with an understanding of the inconvenience it may cause to passengers and airlines alike.
The affected airports include key regional hubs such as Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jammu, Leh, Srinagar, and Jodhpur, among others. During this period, no civil flights will operate in or out of these locations. Authorities have also temporarily closed 25 segments of the Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes within the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions, affecting routes from ground level to unrestricted altitudes.
While this may disrupt regular travel schedules, the move has been undertaken with the utmost concern for safety and operational efficiency. Airlines have been advised to plan alternate routes, and coordination with Air Traffic Control is ongoing to ensure minimal disruption and the highest standards of safety.
Such measures, though temporarily challenging, are part of broader efforts to maintain the integrity and security of the nation’s aviation infrastructure. The authorities have expressed appreciation for the patience and understanding of the public and the aviation community during this time.