NEW DELHI: In the wake of India's Operation Sindoor airstrikes on Pakistan, air travel across South Asia has been severely disrupted. The operation, launched on May 6, targeted nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, aiming at dismantling terrorist infrastructure linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Following the strikes, Pakistan closed its airspace for 48 hours, leading to the cancellation of all flights in and out of major airports in Karachi and Lahore. Indian airlines, including Air India, SpiceJet, and IndiGo, suspended operations to and from several cities, including Srinagar, Leh, Dharamshala, Amritsar, and Jammu. International carriers such as Air France and Lufthansa also avoided Pakistani airspace, rerouting flights to alternative destinations. As a result, over 200 flights were cancelled, and 18 airports were temporarily shut down.
The air travel disruptions have had significant effects on civilians, with thousands stranded at airports across the region. In Pakistan's Punjab province, schools and colleges were closed, and examinations were postponed. In Indian-administered Kashmir, educational institutions were also shut down, and public gatherings were restricted. The suspension of flights has further isolated the region, complicating efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and maintain economic activity.
The international community has expressed concern over the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for maximum restraint, emphasizing that the world cannot afford a military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed nations. Similarly, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed disappointment over the Indian strikes, describing them as "a shame," and hoped for a swift resolution. China also urged both sides to act in the larger interest of peace and stability, calling for calm and restraint.
As the situation develops, authorities are working to assess the full extent of the damage and restore normal operations at the affected airports. The ongoing disruptions underscore the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to modern warfare tactics and the challenges of ensuring air safety in conflict zones. With both countries bracing for potential further escalation, the international community continues to urge dialogue and de-escalation to prevent a broader conflict.
