Islamabad International Airport has been placed under red alert, and Pakistan closed its airspace to commercial traffic, diverting three incoming flights as a precaution amid fears of potential Indian hostile action.
Flights affected included a Qatar Airways service from Doha, a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight, and one operated by a private carrier.
Airports across Pakistan, including Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar, were put on high alert.
The immediate fallout saw the temporary shutdown of over 18 airports in India, including Srinagar and Leh, and the cancellation of over 200 flights by airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, affecting both domestic and international routes, with Qatar Airways also suspending flights to Pakistan due to the airspace closure.
IndiGo alone cancelled around 165 flights, while a source said that 35 flights to and from Delhi — India's busiest airport — were cancelled between midnight and morning, including 23 domestic departures, eight arrivals, and four international flights.
American Airlines and other global carriers also pulled back services.
Air India, in a statement, said it had suspended flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot until 5.29 am on May 10, following directives from aviation authorities.
Affected passengers are being offered a one-time rescheduling waiver or full refunds.
Flights affected included a Qatar Airways service from Doha, a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight, and one operated by a private carrier.
Airports across Pakistan, including Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar, were put on high alert.
The immediate fallout saw the temporary shutdown of over 18 airports in India, including Srinagar and Leh, and the cancellation of over 200 flights by airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, affecting both domestic and international routes, with Qatar Airways also suspending flights to Pakistan due to the airspace closure.
IndiGo alone cancelled around 165 flights, while a source said that 35 flights to and from Delhi — India's busiest airport — were cancelled between midnight and morning, including 23 domestic departures, eight arrivals, and four international flights.
American Airlines and other global carriers also pulled back services.
Air India, in a statement, said it had suspended flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot until 5.29 am on May 10, following directives from aviation authorities.
Affected passengers are being offered a one-time rescheduling waiver or full refunds.
IndiGo took similar measures, cancelling all operations for the day at key northern airports, including Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, and Jodhpur. "We are anticipating changes across our network," the airline said on X, urging passengers to check real-time updates before travelling.
SpiceJet confirmed the closure of multiple northern airports — including Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar — "until further notice," and promised refunds or alternate options.
Akasa Air called off all its Srinagar flights, while regional operator Star Air cancelled services to and from Nanded, Hindon, Adampur, Kishangarh, and Bhuj.
Air India Express, too, reported several cancellations, particularly to Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, and Hindon.
"Multiple flights on our network are impacted," it said, without specifying a resumption timeline.
Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), which manages Indira Gandhi International Airport, warned of flight impacts due to "changing airspace conditions".
The shockwaves extended beyond Indian airspace.
Qatar Airways announced the temporary suspension of flights to Pakistan, citing the closure of Pakistani airspace in response to the Indian strike.
The widespread move came about following a series of air and missile strikes from India, dubbed "Operation Sindoor," targeting nine sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
