Kishangarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Patiala, Shimla, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur Get Complete Airline Shutdown as India Attacks Pakistan

Published on May 8, 2025

By: Tuhin Sarkar

Kishangarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Patiala, Shimla, Gaggal, Bathinda, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Halwara, Pathankot, Jammu, Leh, Thoise, Ludhiana, and Bhuntar face a complete airline shutdown as India attacks Pakistan. Yes, Kishangarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Patiala, Shimla, Gaggal, Bathinda, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Halwara, Pathankot, Jammu, Leh, Thoise, Ludhiana, and Bhuntar—all are part of this historic complete airline shutdown as India attacks Pakistan. The skies above Kishangarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Patiala, Shimla, Gaggal, Bathinda, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Halwara, Pathankot, Jammu, Leh, Thoise, Ludhiana, and Bhuntar now stand still as this complete airline shutdown as India attacks Pakistan plays out.

As a result, Kishangarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Patiala, Shimla, Gaggal, Bathinda, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Halwara, Pathankot, Jammu, Leh, Thoise, Ludhiana, and Bhuntar have no takeoffs, no landings, and no civilian movement due to the complete airline shutdown as India attacks Pakistan. The silence across the terminals of Kishangarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Patiala, Shimla, Gaggal, Bathinda, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Halwara, Pathankot, Jammu, Leh, Thoise, Ludhiana, and Bhuntar is deafening, a direct impact of the complete airline shutdown as India attacks Pakistan.

While travelers scramble and tourism reels, the situation remains fluid. Yet the fact remains: Kishangarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Patiala, Shimla, Gaggal, Bathinda, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Halwara, Pathankot, Jammu, Leh, Thoise, Ludhiana, and Bhuntar are under lockdown, grounded by a complete airline shutdown as India attacks Pakistan—with no immediate end in sight.

The ripple effects will be wide. The tourism industry, airlines, and regional economies brace as Kishangarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Patiala, Shimla, Gaggal, Bathinda, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Halwara, Pathankot, Jammu, Leh, Thoise, Ludhiana, and Bhuntar remain paralyzed under this complete airline shutdown as India attacks Pakistan.

India has shut down 25 key international flight routes that pass through Indian airspace into Pakistan following a series of precise airstrikes conducted on May 7 against terrorist infrastructures across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

Two government officials confirmed that the closures began around 2:30 PM IST and will remain in effect until 5:30 AM IST on May 10. The decision comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions after India launched strikes on nine terror launch pads, prompting urgent aviation precautions across South Asia.

Airports in Northern India Grounded

India has already closed 18 major airports in northern and western regions. These include vital tourism and commercial hubs such as Srinagar, Amritsar, Jammu, Leh, and Jodhpur, effectively shutting down civil air travel in critical areas near the border.

Domestic airlines have suspended or rerouted flights. Travelers heading to and from these zones face mass cancellations, long delays, and limited ground transport access. Tourist bookings in Kashmir and Rajasthan are seeing widespread disruption.

Foreign Carriers Barred from Indian Routes into Pakistan

A senior aviation official confirmed that all routes enabling flights into Pakistan through Indian airspace are closed. This ban extends to foreign carriers, not just Indian-registered aircraft.

“This means even Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and SWISS must now avoid these transit corridors,” the official said.

Already, some global airlines were rerouting around Pakistani airspace after the April 24 closure imposed by Islamabad on Indian carriers. Now, this bilateral airspace freeze affects both sides, making detours mandatory.

Precautionary Move to Avoid Military Misidentification

Aviation experts view the route closures as pre-emptive risk mitigation.

According to Mark D. Martin, founder of Asia-based aviation safety firm Martin Consulting, “India shutting down routes is a precautionary step to ensure civil aircraft are not misidentified as military assets.”

In wartime conditions or heightened military alert, passenger aircraft can inadvertently be mistaken for hostile or surveillance operations, especially in radar-dense border zones.

The NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued on the airspace change advises operators to avoid flights near the Line of Control (LoC) and sectors bordering Pakistan.

Backlash from the Tourism Sector

The shutdown’s ripple effect is shaking India’s tourism industry.

Hotel chains in Jammu, Leh, and Rajasthan report cancellations. International tour operators are adjusting itineraries. Travel agents cite fear of escalation as a reason behind booking drops.

“May marks the start of our inbound tourism season. The current situation is deeply damaging,” said a Jaipur-based operator.

States like Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Rajasthan heavily depend on peak summer travelers. Now, with air access cut off and safety advisories issued by some embassies, travel sentiment has collapsed.

Aviation Impact: Longer Routes, Higher Costs

The move has forced airlines to opt for longer detours through Iranian, Central Asian, or Arabian Gulf airspace, increasing fuel costs and travel time.

International carriers may face elevated insurance premiums. Passengers should brace for schedule changes, especially on Europe–India and Southeast Asia–Europe legs.

Air India, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines have begun reviewing routing strategies. Some widebody flights from Delhi and Mumbai are now taking up to 40–60 minutes longer to avoid the restricted zones.

Trade and Cargo Also Affected

Freight carriers are not spared. Cargo planes operating along Delhi–Europe and Mumbai–Central Asia routes must detour as well, delaying high-value shipments.

Exporters of perishable goods are especially vulnerable. Cold-chain logistics require precise timing—any delays risk spoilage and losses.

Moreover, India’s express logistics and e-commerce partners reliant on next-day air cargo will see temporary disruptions.

Timeline of Escalation

• April 21: A deadly terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir prompts diplomatic fallout.
• April 24: Pakistan restricts its airspace for Indian airlines.
• May 7: India conducts nine strategic airstrikes in Pakistan and PoJK.
• May 7, 2:30 PM: Indian authorities close 25 air corridors.
• May 10, 5:30 AM: Expected reassessment window for airspace reopening.

Conclusion: A Region on Edge—and an Industry in Flux

The airspace lockdown reflects a broader truth: tourism, aviation, and civil mobility are the first casualties in any geopolitical standoff. With 25 routes shuttered, 18 airports grounded, and rising tension between nuclear neighbors, South Asia’s skies remain unpredictable.

Airlines, passengers, and travel businesses must stay nimble, watch advisories, and expect delays. For now, the travel corridor between India and Pakistan is frozen—along with much of the optimism surrounding South Asia’s peak travel season.