Introduction
Air India and IndiGo have announced the cancellation of flights to and from seven major Indian cities on May 13, 2025, citing safety concerns amid the recent surge in Indo-Pak tensions. These cities—Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Leh, Rajkot, and Jodhpur—were among the airports that had just reopened for civilian use after temporary closures.
Why the Flights Were Cancelled
The cancellations follow heightened military activity between India and Pakistan, triggered by a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, which claimed 26 lives. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The mission destroyed terror camps affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Following India’s strikes, Pakistan launched retaliatory drone and missile attacks, which were intercepted by the Indian armed forces. As a precautionary measure, civilian flights across several strategic airports were halted, and although some resumed on Monday, today’s cancellations show continued volatility in the region.
Airports Affected by the Cancellations
- Jammu
- Srinagar
- Amritsar
- Chandigarh
- Leh
- Rajkot
- Jodhpur
Air India confirmed cancellations for flights to and from all the above cities along with Bhuj and Jamnagar. IndiGo issued a similar advisory and emphasized that “passenger safety is the utmost priority.”
Statement from the Airlines
Air India posted the following update on X (formerly Twitter):
“In view of the latest developments and keeping your safety in mind, flights to and from Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh and Rajkot are cancelled for Tuesday, 13th May. We are monitoring the situation and will keep you updated.”
IndiGo echoed the sentiment:
“We understand how this may disrupt your travel plans, and regret the inconvenience caused. Our teams are actively monitoring the situation and will promptly keep you informed of further updates.”
Wider Impact and Background
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) had earlier announced the reopening of 32 airports for civilian flights after a temporary shutdown last week. These included key airbases such as Bathinda, Bikaner, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Kangra, Pathankot, and Shimla. The decision came just two days after a ceasefire agreement was reached between India and Pakistan to halt military operations.
The temporary closures and renewed cancellations underscore the fragile nature of the current peace between the two countries. While the ceasefire is a positive sign, ongoing threats and heightened alert levels mean airspace restrictions may continue to impact flight schedules in border areas.
For full coverage of these flight cancellations and their geopolitical context, visit the NDTV report on flight disruptions.
Conclusion
With tensions between India and Pakistan still simmering post-Operation Sindoor, the decision by Air India and IndiGo to cancel flights reflects the current climate of caution. Passengers with travel plans to affected areas should stay updated via airline advisories and prepare for last-minute changes.
Stay informed as the situation develops by following airline updates and government advisories. For more on the ongoing Indo-Pak conflict and its implications, check out our detailed coverage of the India-Pakistan ceasefire.
