Air India & IndiGo Cancel Flights to Multiple Cities
On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, travellers experienced widespread disruptions across Northern India due to flight cancellations by major airlines like IndiGo and Air India. The cancellations were triggered by heightened security concerns arising from increased tensions between India and Pakistan.
Airports affected by these cancellations include Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Srinagar, Rajkot, Jodhpur, Bhuj, and Jamnagar. While Delhi Airport remained operational, passengers were urged to stay updated due to evolving airspace conditions.
Security forces had spotted unidentified drones near military zones in Jammu and Punjab on Monday, May 12. The Indian Army shot down a surveillance drone near Mand village in Jalandhar and confirmed drone activity over the Samba district in Jammu. Despite the Army's later statement that no enemy drones were present, aviation authorities tightened security, prompting airlines to proactively cancel flights for passenger safety.
IndiGo announced the cancellation of flights to and from Jammu, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Leh, Srinagar, and Rajkot on Monday night, prioritizing passenger safety. Similarly, Air India grounded flights to and from Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot, citing the “latest developments” and ongoing safety concerns.
Delhi Airport issued a five-point advisory for passengers, urging them to stay updated through official channels, adhere to baggage rules, arrive early for security checks, cooperate with personnel, and avoid spreading unverified news. Enhanced security measures were expected to cause longer processing times at terminals.
Passengers scheduled to fly to or from affected airports were advised to rebook or adjust travel plans, monitor airline websites and apps for real-time updates, and stay informed through government and airport advisories.
On May 12, 2025, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) announced the resumption of civil flight operations at 32 airports, restoring normal services as security conditions stabilised.
Both Air India and IndiGo communicated flight cancellations and travel advisories through social media, advising passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
