These Indian Airports Are Now Temporarily Shut

The escalating tension between India and Pakistan has resulted in the closing of several airports in India near the Indo-Pak border. In Kashmir, all commercial operations in Srinagar, Leh, Pathankot and Jammu airport have been put on hold after an IAF jet crashed in Budgam district, killing two. Civilian air traffic has also been stopped in Amritsar, Pathankot and Chandigarh, as well as in Dehradun. An official of the Airport Authority of India told PTI, "The civilian air traffic has been suspended temporarily in view of the emergency".

#TravelUpdate. Due to airspace restrictions, flights to and from Amritsar, Srinagar, Chandigarh and Jammu are currently on hold. Customers are requested to check flight status before commencing their journey to the airport. (1/2)

— Vistara (@airvistara) February 27, 2019

According to sources, these airports are being used by the Indian Air force and all civilian flights have been diverted or put on hold. "Due to airspace restrictions, flights to and from Amritsar, Srinagar, Chandigarh and Jammu are currently on hold. Customers are requested to check flight status before commencing their journey to the airport," Air Vistara tweeted. Other Indian airlines are also updating passengers with information on new routes or cancelled flights.

#6ETravelAdvisory : Due to airspace closure, flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Chandigarh, Amritsar and Dehradun have been temporarily suspended. To opt for cancellations or alternate options click on Plan B https://t.co/ofwzjniT1l

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) February 27, 2019

Air traffic controllers have been told to divert all en route flights to Jammu, Leh and Srinagar back to their original stations. The sudden flare-up has also resulted in security forces being put on a heightened alert. International flights travelling between the two countries have also been affected and India could potentially shut more airports near the border if the tensions continue to rise.

Update: Commercial flight operations have resumed at the above mentioned airports,  as per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).