Flight Disruptions Hit Northern India: IndiGo and Air India Cancel Flights Amid Security Concerns

Travelers in Northern India are facing significant disruptions today as major airlines IndiGo and Air India have announced the cancellation of several flights to and from key cities including Amritsar and Jammu. The airlines cited “safety” and “recent developments” as the primary reasons for the cancellations, leaving passengers with altered travel plans.

IndiGo, in a statement released late last night, confirmed the cancellation of all flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, and Rajkot for Tuesday, May 13th. The airline conveyed its regret for the inconvenience caused and assured passengers that they are actively monitoring the situation and will provide timely updates. IndiGo had only resumed flights on some of these routes on Monday, following a temporary closure of several airports in the region.

Similarly, Air India also announced the cancellation of its flight operations to and from an even wider list of cities for today. These include Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot. In its advisory, Air India stated that this decision was taken “in view of the latest developments and keeping your safety in mind.” The airline also informed passengers that they are closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates as needed.

These cancellations come after a period of heightened tensions in the border regions, which had led to the temporary closure of 32 airports in northern and western India. While the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had announced the reopening of these airports on Monday following a reported ceasefire, these recent cancellations by IndiGo and Air India suggest that security concerns persist.

Adding to the uncertainty, there were reports of drone activity near the International Border in Jammu’s Samba district and Punjab’s Jalandhar district late on Monday, prompting authorities to implement precautionary blackouts in these areas. An IndiGo flight en route to Amritsar on Monday evening had to return to Delhi mid-air due to a similar precautionary blackout.

Passengers who were scheduled to travel to or from the affected cities today are strongly advised to check the latest flight status updates on the respective airline’s websites or contact their customer care helplines for assistance with rebooking or refunds. Both airlines have expressed their commitment to keeping passengers informed about any further changes to the flight schedule.

The situation remains fluid, and travelers are urged to stay updated through official channels and avoid spreading unverified information. Delhi Airport has also issued a five-point advisory for passengers, urging them to stay informed through their airlines, adhere to baggage regulations, arrive early at the airport, cooperate with staff, and verify flight status through official sources.

While the reopening of airports on Monday had brought a sense of relief to many, these new cancellations highlight the continued sensitivity of the situation in the region and the priority airlines are placing on the safety and security of their passengers and crew.