Budget airline IndiGo has announced the cancellation of flight operations to and from 11 cities across northern, northwestern, and central India until May 10, 5:29 am IST, due to airport closures following the Indian Armed Forces’ Operation Sindoor — a retaliatory strike against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
In its official travel advisory shared on X, IndiGo stated that flights to Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Gwalior, Kishangarh, and Rajkot have been suspended. The airline noted that the move complies with aviation authority directives issued amid heightened security and military activity.
“We are closely monitoring the situation, and further schedule adjustments across other sectors may follow,” the advisory read. The carrier urged passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport, acknowledging the inconvenience and thanking travelers for their patience.
In a show of solidarity and compassion, the All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association (ALHGHA) has announced complimentary stays for tourists stranded in Ladakh due to the flight disruptions. In a press statement, ALHGHA President confirmed that guests whose outbound flights were canceled would be allowed to continue their stay at the same accommodations without charge.
The initiative drew widespread praise, with BJP MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal lauding the effort on social media:
“A true reflection of Ladakh’s spirit of hospitality and patriotism. Atithi Devo Bhava! Bharat Mata Ki Jai!”
The cancellations follow India’s most extensive cross-border military action in over five decades. In the early hours of Wednesday, the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force carried out Operation Sindoor, striking nine high-value terrorist camps — four in Pakistan (Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sarjal, and Mehmoona Joya) and five in PoK. The strikes were carefully calibrated to avoid civilian casualties and military installations, officials confirmed.
Following IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet also issued similar advisories, announcing the suspension of flights to and from affected airports including Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot. All airlines have offered full refunds or rescheduling waivers to passengers holding valid tickets for the affected period.
