NEW DELHI — After India successfully carried out Operation Sindoor, domestic
carriers cancelled around 430 flights on Thursday, which is nearly three per
cent of the total scheduled flights in the country, as 27 airports remain shut
till May 10.
According to data from flight tracking platform
Flightradar24, airspace over Pakistan and the western corridor of India was
largely free of civilian aircraft.
“Airspace over Pakistan and the western shoulder of India
between Jammu and Kashmir and Gujarat was free of civilian air traffic as
airlines shunned the sensitive zone,” according to the portal, which shared
live flight path data and cancellation figures.
On Wednesday, more than 300 flights were cancelled, and
operations at 21 airports across northern and western India were suspended.
In a post on X, Air India said its contact centres are
currently experiencing high call volumes.
“While all our representatives are actively assisting
customers, in some cases it may take longer than expected to connect. Please
rest assured, we are here to support you. For customers whose flights are
impacted by the current disruptions, Air India is offering full refund for
cancellations and a one-time waiver on rescheduling fee. This is valid for
tickets booked on the impacted flights until 10th May, 2025,” said the carrier.
Air India also said that it is grateful for the selfless
service and dedication of our military and defence personnel.
“In the prevailing situation, for those personnel holding
defence fares who are booked on Air India and Air India Express flights till 31
May 2025, we are offering full refunds on cancellation and a one-time waiver on
rescheduling flights up to 30 June 2025 to support their duty commitments,”
said Air India.
IndiGo informed passengers that its services to and from
Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, and Dharamsala were being affected
due to changing airspace conditions.
"Continuing our efforts to provide support to our
customers and accommodate their travel plan changes, we are extending full
waiver of change and cancellation fees for travel to/from Srinagar until 22nd
May 2025, for bookings made on or before 22nd April 2025," IndiGo said in
a post on X on Thursday.
SpiceJet noted that flights operating to and from
Dharamsala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar were suspended until further
notice. Akasa Air, while not listing affected routes individually, also issued
a travel advisory in response to the situation.
