Air India Cancels Flights from Multiple Northern Cities After IndiGo Suspension Amid Regional Tensions
Flight operations from Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, and others suspended temporarily; advisory issued for passenger safety amid India-Pakistan tensions.
Air India Suspends Flights from Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, and Other Cities Amid Rising Regional Tensions
New Delhi, May 13
In a significant disruption to domestic air travel, Air India has announced the cancellation of all flight operations to and from eight major cities — Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot — for May 13 (Tuesday). The move closely follows a similar announcement made by IndiGo Airlines, signaling growing caution in aviation circles amid escalating geopolitical concerns in the region.
Flight Cancellations Follow IndiGo’s Decision
IndiGo, India’s largest airline, was the first to halt flights from sensitive northern locations including Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot. Air India followed suit, citing safety and operational challenges as the primary reasons for the abrupt cancellations.
In a public statement released on X (formerly Twitter), Air India said:
“In view of the latest developments and keeping your safety in mind, flights to and from Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh and Rajkot are cancelled for Tuesday, 13th May.”
The airline added, “We are monitoring the situation and will keep you updated,” assuring passengers of timely communication regarding any changes.
Efforts Underway to Resume Operations
Despite the temporary suspension, Air India has assured travelers that it is working towards progressively restarting services. The airline indicated that its operational teams are in coordination with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other regulatory bodies to evaluate the situation and resume flight operations at the earliest.
In another post, Air India elaborated:
“Following a notification from aviation authorities on the reopening of airports, Air India is working towards progressively commencing flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh and Rajkot.”
They also thanked passengers for their understanding, emphasizing that passenger safety remains the top priority.
Airports Reopening in Phases Amid Conflict Concerns
The move comes shortly after the Airports Authority of India (AAI) announced the reopening of 32 airports across northern and western India. These airports had been temporarily shut down due to rising India-Pakistan border tensions, with the closure period recently extended until May 15.
The AAI’s latest update signals a phased approach to normalcy, but the situation remains fluid. Airlines are exercising heightened caution, adjusting their schedules based on real-time security advisories and regional developments.
📢 Passenger Advisory
Passengers scheduled to fly to or from any of the affected airports on May 13 are strongly advised to:
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Check flight status directly with the airline or via their app
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Refrain from heading to the airport without confirmation
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Monitor Air India’s official social media channels for the latest updates
Both Air India and IndiGo have said that rescheduling and refund policies will be relaxed for the affected routes.
The sudden suspension of flights from critical locations like Jammu, Leh, and Amritsar by both IndiGo and Air India underscores the volatile regional security environment and the ripple effects it can have on civil aviation. With reopening plans underway, passengers are urged to stay alert, patient, and informed.
