delhi airport operations

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Delhi Airport maintains normal operations, though some flights face potential disruptions due to shifting airspace and heightened security. Passengers are advised to verify flight details with their airlines and rely on official information sources.

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport has reopened runway RW 28 after weeks of closure for renovations, enhancing safety and efficiency. The reopening, which occurred on Tuesday, will streamline operations and facilitate smoother arrivals and departures. While the ILS upgrade work is scheduled to resume in mid-June 2025, passengers can anticipate improved flight schedules and reduced delays.

While Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) are already there for their match on May 8, Mumbai Indians (MI) were scheduled to reach later this week. Now with Dharamsala airport, and neighbouring Amritsar and Chandigarh airports shut, the teams and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would look to swing a plan in action.

In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, India initiated Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK, marking its deepest strikes since 1971. Consequently, several airports in North and North-western India will remain closed until May 10, and schools in Rajasthan's border districts have declared holidays. Nationwide mock drills were also conducted to assess emergency preparedness against potential threats.

Following the recent attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government has heightened security measures at all airports and flights nationwide. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has mandated secondary ladder point security checks for all passengers and prohibited visitor entry to terminals. Additional measures include increased surveillance, strict monitoring of aircraft operations, and thorough scrutiny of passenger and cargo manifests to prevent any untoward incidents.

Following Operation Sindoor, several airlines have suspended air travel to northern India due to airport closures and airspace restrictions. IndiGo cancelled approximately 160 domestic flights, impacting services to high-alert zones. Air India, Alliance Air, SpiceJet, Air India Express, and Akasa Air also cancelled or rerouted flights, offering refunds and rescheduling options to affected passengers.

Following India's air strikes, Kolkata airport suspended runway repairs and heightened security with drills simulating air raid scenarios. Air traffic controllers rerouted flights to avoid Pakistan airspace, impacting routes between Europe and South-East Asia. While Kolkata airport remained operational, flights to airports near the western border were cancelled due to closures.

Following the recent attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government has heightened security measures at all airports and flights nationwide. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has mandated secondary ladder point security checks for all passengers and banned visitor entry to terminals.

The Indian government has refuted social media claims that airports nationwide are closed due to conflict with Pakistan. PIB Fact Check clarified that no such decision was made, despite widespread disinformation following India's Operation Sindoor in Pakistan and PoK. This operation targeted terrorist sites in response to the Pahalgam attack, resulting in significant casualties.

Commercial flights at Hindon civil terminal, operating from an air base, were suspended following India's strike against terrorist installations in Pakistan and the subsequent high alert. The suspension impacts multiple routes served by Air India Express, Fly Big Airlines and Star Air, causing flight cancellations and inconvenience to passengers.

Starting May 16, airfares to and from Mumbai airport will increase due to a hike in the User Development Fee (UDF) approved by AERA. Domestic departing passengers will face a ₹175 charge, while arriving passengers will pay ₹75. International economy and business class passengers will also see increased fees for both arrival and departure, impacting ticket costs.

On May 2, 2025, Delhi experienced severe rainfall and thunderstorms, causing significant flight disruptions at IGI Airport, with delays and diversions reported. The IMD issued a red alert, recording squally winds and waterlogging in several areas.

Air India flight AI139, flying from Delhi to Tel Aviv, was diverted to Abu Dhabi after a missile strike occurred near Tel Aviv airport on Sunday. The Boeing 787 was about an hour away from landing when the incident prompted the diversion while it was in Jordanian airspace. Consequently, the return flight from Tel Aviv to Delhi has been cancelled.