The country’s 32 airports closed, no flight will fly till 15 May; Government’s decision amid stress from pak

Operation Sindoor: Amid growing military tension between India and Pakistan, the Government of India has decided to temporarily shut down 32 airports in North and West India. In view of the safety of citizens, the DGCA and the Airport Authority of India have taken this step. According to DGCA, all types of civil flight services from these airports will be temporarily closed from 9 May to 14 May 2025 (Indian time till 5:29 am). During this time no civil aircraft will be able to fly from ground level to unlimited height. These restrictions have been imposed on the basis of safety and operational reasons. The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirms senior officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that the decision is part of the strategy of protecting any possible air threats, especially drone attacks. Suspected drone activities have been observed at 26 places along the border and Line of Control (LOC) with Pakistan, some of which have been feared to have armament. The possible objective of these drones may be to damage the military bases or strategic civilian sites in India. Which airports will remain closed? The affected airports include: Amritsar, Srinagar, Jammu, Avantipura, Hindon, Ambala, Chandigarh, Pathankot, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bhuj, Bikaner, Leh, Shimla, Kullu, and many others. These airports have been selected because all these are located in an important area from the border or strategic perspective, from where the potential threat on flights is the highest. Along with this, the 25 major air traffic service routes in Delhi and Mumbai FIR (Flight Information Region) have also been closed. Its purpose is to ensure that in any military or emergency situation, the air route is completely under the control of the army and there is no threat to civil flights. The airports will be temporarily closed. According to government sources, this prisoner is completely temporary and can be carried forward or eliminated based on the situation review. All airlines and charter operators have been instructed to plan their flights through alternative routes and airports and give prior information to the passengers. Drone activities seen are the places like Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Lalgarh Jatta and Kuwarbet. According to defense sources, the army’s vigilance and air defense systems have been further strengthened in these areas. This decision affected by flights of thousands of passengers may affect the flights of thousands of passengers, but experts believe that this step has been taken completely caution and in the national interest in view of the current military situation. The Government of India has clarified that the security of the country is paramount and any kind of infiltration or terrorist act will be given a befitting reply.

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