No shutdown of Delhi-Mumbai airline route, PIB fact check calls claims 'fake'

NEW DELHI: The Press Information Bureau's (PIB) fact-check unit debunked yet another fake claim, stating that services on the Delhi-Mumbai airline route are temporarily closed. In a post on X, the PIB called the claim "fake" and said that the Airports Authority of India has extended the temporary closure of 25 segments of Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes within the Delhi & Mumbai flight information regions due to operational reasons.As specified in NOTAM G0555/25 (which replaces G0525/25), the 25 route segments shall continue to be inaccessible from ground level up to unlimited altitude until 2359 UTC on May 14, 2025 (which corresponds to 0529 IST on 15th May 2025).Flight operators and airlines have received guidance to arrange alternative routes in accordance with existing air traffic advisories. The interim closure is being coordinated with appropriate ATC facilities to maintain safety standards whilst reducing operational interruptions.According to the aviation ministry, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and aviation authorities have issued notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) announcing temporary closures of 32 airports across Northern and Western India for civil flight operations.The NOTAM remains active from May 9, 2025, to May 14, 2025 (extending to 0529 IST on May 15, 2025), citing operational requirements.The affected airports include Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise and Uttarlai.