228 flights cancelled in 2 days at Delhi airport as India-Pak tensions persist

Air travel disruption persisted at Delhi Airport for the second consecutive day, as escalating tensions between India and Pakistan led to continued airspace restrictions, forcing widespread flight cancellations and delays.

Tensions between the two neighbouring nations soared further after a Pakistani drone and missile attack on Indian cities in Jammu, Punjab, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

In the last 2 days, 228 flights have been cancelled at Delhi international airport. According to airport authorities, a total of 138 flights were cancelled on Friday (9 May). This included 63 domestic arrivals, 66 domestic departures, 4 international arrivals, and 5 international departures.

Yesterday, more than 90 flights were cancelled and over 200 delayed during peak travel hours between 8am and 2pm.

"Delhi airport operations remain normal. However, due to evolving airspace conditions and heightened security measures, some flight schedules and security processing timings may be impacted,' DIAL said in a post on X on Friday.

Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) operates the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), which is the country's largest and busiest airport.

DIAL also advised passengers to be prepared for additional time at security checkpoints and cooperate with airline and security staff for smooth processing.

Centre extends closure of 24 airports till 15 May

The Union government has extended the closure of 24 airports across the country till 5:29am on 15 May, as tensions escalate between New Delhi and Islamabad following Operation Sindoor and a foiled drone attack by Pakistan's military.

On Thursday, the Civil Aviation Ministry had announced that 24 airports would be closed for civil flight operations till 10 May.

Airports will be closed till 15 May in cities such as Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bhuntar, Kishangarh, Patiala, Shimla, Jaisalmer, Pathankot, Jammu, Bikaner, Leh, Porbander and others.

Airlines issue travel advisories

Several airlines have also issued travel advisories for passengers and asked for them to remain updated on airport closures and enhanced security protocols.

Air India in a post on X on Friday stated, "Following a notification from aviation authorities on continued closure of multiple airports in India, Air India flights to and from the following stations – Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Bhuj, Jamnagar and Rajkot – are being cancelled till 0529 hrs IST on 15 May, pending further updates."

They added, "Customers holding valid tickets for travel during this period will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling charges or a full refund for cancellations."

In a post on X, IndiGo said that all flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Bikaner, Rajkot, Jodhpur and Kishangarh, would remain cancelled until 5:30am on 15 May due to temporary airport closures.

At Delhi's IGI airport, authorities stated that flight operations had been affected due to tightened security protocol. 

A total of 66 domestic departures and 63 arrivals, as well as 5 international departures and 4 arrivals, were cancelled between 5am and 2pm on Friday, reports PTI.

"Delhi airport operations remain normal. However, due to evolving airspace conditions and heightened security measures, some flight schedules and security processing timings may be impacted,' DIAL said in a post on X.

Security measures at airports have increased after the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that led to the death of 26 civilians on 22 April. After the attack, India accused Pakistan of involvement in cross-border terrorism, which the country denied. 

On Thursday night, Pakistan's military launched 300-400 drones which were intercepted and blocked by India's air defence system. However, the loud explosions and projectile flashes in the air caused fear and panic among residents in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat. 

Pakistani military also took to heavy artillery shelling across the LoC causing a loss of life and property in the border villages in Jammu and Kashmir.