Air India, IndiGo Cancel Flights to Key Cities Amid Security Concerns
IndiGo and Air India have cancelled several flights to northern and western India on May 13 due to airspace restrictions and growing India-Pakistan border tensions.
India’s two largest carriers, IndiGo and Air India, suspended flight operations on Tuesday to several sensitive regions as a precautionary move amid heightened military vigilance. Cities affected include Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Amritsar, Rajkot, and Chandigarh.
IndiGo announced it would suspend all flights to and from these cities until 11:59 pm on May 13. “We understand how this may disrupt your travel plans and regret the inconvenience,” the airline said in a statement, adding that it continues to monitor the evolving situation.
Air India followed suit, confirming the suspension of services to Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot. “We are monitoring the situation and will keep you updated,” the airline said via a post on X.
The decision came after drones were reportedly spotted in the Samba, Akhnoor, Jaisalmer, and Kathua regions. Although the Indian Army later clarified that no new drone activity was detected on Tuesday, it confirmed intercepting a small number of drones in the Samba sector.
“Red streaks and explosions were visible in the night sky,” sources said. However, the Army assured that there was “nothing to be alarmed about” and that the ceasefire remains intact.
The Airports Authority of India had reopened airspace over the affected cities on Monday. However, both airlines have opted to exercise caution amid ongoing security concerns.
“Following a notification from aviation authorities… Air India is working towards progressively commencing flights,” the national carrier said. Passengers have been advised to check flight status before travelling to the airport.
An IndiGo flight en route to Amritsar on Monday evening was forced to return to Delhi due to enforced blackout measures in Amritsar, according to PTI.
Flight suspensions come in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor and retaliatory actions between India and Pakistan. The ceasefire agreed over the weekend remains in effect, but tensions continue to simmer with sporadic violations and heightened security activity across border regions.
