Six Gujarat airports shut, flights at Ahmedabad airport too affected

Flight operations at six airports across Gujarat were suspended on Thursday amid heightened national security following India’s Operation Sindoor. The affected airports—Rajkot, Keshod, Bhuj, Kandla, Jamnagar, and Porbandar—are expected to resume services from Saturday, May 10.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad remained operational throughout the day, although several flights experienced delays and cancellations. More than 10 flights were cancelled, and over two dozen schedules were disrupted.

The temporary shutdown of the six civilian airports led to the cancellation of approximately 430 flights across Gujarat, particularly in Rajkot, Jamnagar, and Bhuj. An advisory issued by Air India confirmed the suspension of flights to and from Bhuj, Jamnagar, Rajkot, as well as Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, and Chandigarh until the morning of May 10.

“Flights might be affected due to nationwide airport closures and airspace restrictions,” stated a notice issued by Ahmedabad airport, advising passengers to check with their respective airlines for real-time updates.

Indigo Airlines reported the highest number of cancellations, with around 160 flights affected.

Across the country, flight operations were impacted at over 180 airports. High-alert restrictions have been imposed in northern regions including the Kashmir Valley, Srinagar, Leh, Jammu, and Amritsar, where airports have been closed until further notice. However, military and security operations at these airports continue without interruption.

In Gujarat, civilian airports at Surat, Vadodara and Bhavnagar remained functional as well. 

The suspension in Gujarat is part of a larger nationwide alert in response to Operation Sindoor, which saw Indian armed forces carry out coordinated strikes amid escalating tensions with Pakistan. Gujarat was placed on high alert from the morning hours of Thursday, May 8.