Operation Sindoor: How Indian Airlines May Be Impacted as Flights Are Cancelled

Shares of InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, the parent company of IndiGo Airlines, fell over 2.39% to Rs 5,196 after several Indian airlines cancelled flights to and from cities in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Gujarat, among other regions. The disruptions followed attacks carried out by Indian armed forces early Wednesday on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including Jaish-e-Mohammed’s base in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s headquarters in Muridke.

IndiGo, in a post on X, said that changing airspace conditions have affected flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, and Dharamshala.

Among Indian aviation stocks, SpiceJet was trading at Rs 45.69, up 2.56% and Global Vectra Helicorp declined 4.00% to Rs 207.65 at 11.22 AM.

Air India also announced the cancellation of all flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot until noon. "Two international flights en route to Amritsar are being diverted to Delhi. We regret the inconvenience caused due to this unforeseen disruption," the airline said on X.

SpiceJet stated that, due to the ongoing situation, several northern airports—including Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar—are closed until further notice. “Departures, arrivals, and consequential flights may be impacted,” the airline noted on X.

Air India Express confirmed that multiple flights have been affected by the restrictions, with cancellations on routes involving Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, and Hindon expected until midday.

Akasa Air also announced the suspension of flights to and from Srinagar, citing the closure of the airport for civil operations.

Delhi Airport issued a travel advisory on Wednesday after India conducted precision strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

"Due to changes in airspace conditions, some flights at Delhi Airport have been affected," the advisory said. Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines or visit the airport's official website for the latest updates.

As per PTI, over 200 flights were cancelled and at least 18 airports, including Srinagar and Leh, were temporarily shut after India launched strikes on Pakistan. Other airports include Jammu, Amritsar, Pathankot, Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Shimla, Dharamshala and Jamnagar.

Airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, and others suspended services, with IndiGo alone cancelling around 160 flights.

Foreign carriers, including American Airlines, cancelled some of their services from the Delhi airport, the report added.

Aviation Business After Pahalgam Attack

Following the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian airlines have submitted inputs to the civil aviation ministry on the impact of Pakistan’s airspace closure, PTI reported on May 1. Air India alone estimates an annual cost hit of $600 million and has requested financial support. The ministry is assessing rising operational costs — estimated at Rs 77 crore weekly for international flights from northern cities — and is working with carriers such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air on possible solutions, including rerouting.

The closure, which began after the April 22 attack, has resulted in longer flight times and increased fuel consumption. An analysis by PTI, based on the number of overseas flights and estimated additional flight time, suggests that the monthly operational cost burden on Indian airlines could exceed Rs 306 crore.