After Operation Sindoor, five airports in Gujarat were closed to civilian traffic, and security was tightened at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA).
Eight incoming flights to SVPIA were cancelled, and over 30 flight schedules were disrupted.
Border airports
Authorities suspended civilian air operations at bordering airports as a precaution. These include Bhuj, Jamnagar, Kandla, Rajkot and Keshod. The airports will remain open round the clock for military aircraft. Security at Ahmedabad airport was beefed up with extra CISF personnel on duty.
Flight cancellations
On Wednesday, numerous flights from Ahmedabad airport faced disruption. IndiGo Airlines cancelled more than eight flights from Ahmedabad to various destinations. These included Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, Kishangarh, Chandigarh and Hyderabad. Passengers got early warnings and could choose between refunds or booking alternative flights.
Domestic flights from Ahmedabad to several cities also faced delays. According to airport sources, connections to Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Srinagar, Goa and Diu were affected. International flights didn’t escape the chaos either. Flights to Middle Eastern cities saw delays ranging from one to seven hours. Services to Bangkok and Hanoi were also put off.
Airport closures
In Rajkot, District Collector Prabhav Joshi confirmed the release of a Notice to Airmen. The NOTAM announced a three-day shutdown of Rajkot International Airport for civilian traffic.
Air India has scrapped all flights to and from Rajkot, Bhuj and Jamnagar until May 10. The airline also cancelled services to northern Indian destinations including Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar and Chandigarh.
Other carriers, including IndiGo, have grounded flights to numerous northern airports. These include Jodhpur, Bikaner, Dharamshala, Chandigarh, Leh, Amritsar, Jammu and Srinagar.