Flight operations at Srinagar Airport to resume today
Nishikant Khajuria/Irfan Tramboo
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, May 12: Flight operations from Jammu Airport were once again suspended late this evening after suspected drones were observed in Samba and other areas on Monday night.
However, flight operations at Srinagar International Airport will resume tomorrow following withdrawal of NOTAM for 32 airports.
“As conveyed by Station Air Traffic Control, Indian Air Force ( SATCO-IAF), Jammu airspace is once again closed till further instructions,” official sources told the Excelsior.
“In light of the latest developments and with your safety as our utmost priority, flights to and from Jammu, Chandigarh, Leh, Srinagar and Rajkot are cancelled for 13th May 2025,” read a travel advisory, issued by IndiGo late tonight.
Earlier, after remaining suspended for five days, flight operations were resumed today at Jammu Airport with IndiGo Airlines operating flight between Jammu and Delhi while normal flight operations at the Srinagar International Airport were announced to be re-started from tomorrow.
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IndiGo flight 6E 2247 landed Jammu from Delhi at 19:45 hrs and the return flight 6E 5642 departed for Delhi at 20:30 hrs on Monday.
Six flights were schedule to operate tomorrow at Jammu Airport. These included two departures and two arrivals of Air India Express and arrival as well departure of IndiGo.
Passengers scheduled to travel via Jammu Airports were also advised to stay updated by checking flight status directly with their respective airlines and monitor official airline website for the latest information.
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However, in the wake of fresh incident of drone activity in Samba area this evening, Jammu Airport was once again closed for civil operations till further instructions.
Pertinent to mention that commercial flight operations were temporarily suspended at Jammu, Srinagar among 32 Airports across the country until 05:29 hrs of May 15, 2025 in view of the military standoff between India and Pakistan following commencement of `Operation Sindoor’ on May 7.
However, following announcement of ceasefire by DGMOs of both the countries on May 10 and no hostile action from across the border since yesterday, the Airport Authority of India today announced that these Airports were now fully operational for civil aircraft movements with immediate effect.
“Attention flyers; reference notice issued for temporary closure of 32 Airports for civil Aircraft operations till 05:29 hrs of 15 May 2025. It is informed that these Airports are now available for civil Aircraft operations with immediate effect,” read a notice by the AAI.
Airport Authority of India at Srinagar Airport announced to commence flight operations tomorrow, following the withdrawal of the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for 32 airports.
An official of the Airport Authority of India at Srinagar tonight told Excelsior that there is no further update. “We have no update on suspension of flight operations from Srinagar airport as of now,” he said.
The Indigo airlines in an advisory has cancelled all flights to Srinagar and other nearby airports following Samba drone activity. However, at midnight they deleted the post.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) stated that 32 airports, which were temporarily closed for civil aircraft operations, are now available for operations.
“Attention Flyers: reference notice issued for temporary closure of 32 Airports for civil Aircraft operations till 05:29 hrs of 15 May 2025. It is informed that these Airports are now available for civil Aircraft operations with immediate effect,” reads a hand-out issued by the Corporate Communications Directorate, Airports Authority of India (AAI).
“It is recommended for travellers to check flight status directly with Airlines and monitor Airlines’ websites for regular updates.”
Airlines, IndiGo and Air India said that their teams were working to gradually start operating flights to and from the 32 airports that the Government has reopened for operations.
Air India said that following a notification from aviation authorities on the reopening of airports, the airline is working towards progressively commencing flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh and Rajkot.
It stated that its teams were working on bringing operations at these airports back to normal. Air India also urged passengers to “stay tuned for further updates”.
Following the withdrawal of NOTAM, authorities confirmed today that Hajj flights will resume from May 14.
Speaking to Excelsior, Dr. Shujaat Ahmad Qureshi, Executive Officer of the J&K Hajj Committee, said that with the advisory now lifted, two scheduled flights carrying Hajj pilgrims are expected to operate from Srinagar on May 14 and 15.
“Hajj flights began on May 4 and were supposed to continue until May 15, but from May 7 onwards, no flights operated. We now expect two flights to depart on May 14 and one on May 15, allowing pilgrims to travel to Jeddah,” he said.
Regarding pilgrims who were scheduled to depart but couldn’t due to the suspension of civil flights at Srinagar Airport, Dr. Shujaat assured that they will also be accommodated.
“The missed flights will be adjusted. We may operate an additional flight on May 15. Everything will depend on the flight schedule, landing slots, and hotel bookings. Pilgrims will be informed accordingly,” he said, adding that they are hopeful flights on May 14 and 15 will operate on time.
Commenting on the earlier advisory that suspended Hajj flights until May 14, Dr. Shujaat said it was based on the NOTAM.
“Now that the NOTAM has been withdrawn, flights will resume on May 14. A formal notification will follow once directions are received from the Hajj Committee of India (HCI),” he added.
For those anxious about the delay, the J&K Hajj Committee has assured pilgrims that there is ample time to reach on schedule.
“There is enough time. Our pilgrims are required to reach by June 1. Even if no flights had operated, we would have arranged alternatives. We assure all pilgrims they will reach in time,” he said.
“There is no need to worry. Once we receive clearance from the HCI and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah, pilgrims will be informed accordingly. Everyone will reach their destination.”
While uncertainty loomed due to the prevailing tensions between India and Pakistan, many pilgrims traveling through private tour operators have already reached Jeddah via alternative routes, flying from Delhi or Mumbai.
With authorities confirming the resumption of flights on May 14, pilgrims have heaved a sigh of relief.
“I spoke to Hajj Committee officials, and I’ve been told the flights will resume. We are relieved, and it’s due to everyone’s prayers that this has been made possible,” said a pilgrim set to embark on the journey on May 15.
Meanwhile, the J&K Hajj Committee today issued a notification scheduling two flights for May 14.
As per the notification, flights SG-5114 and SG-5214 will depart from Srinagar International Airport on May 14, carrying 321 pilgrims from various districts of J&K.
The reporting time at Hajj House Bemina has been set from 6:00 am to 6:30 am for pilgrims on flight SG-5114, and from 9:00 am to 9:30 am for those on flight SG-5214.
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