Background: Flight Suspensions Amid Rising Tensions

In early May 2025, escalating border tensions between India and Pakistan forced the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) to issue NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen), suspending civil operations at 32 airports across North, West, and Central India. These precautionary closures caused widespread flight cancellations, affecting corporate itineraries, MICE bookings, and B2B consolidator operations.

Ceasefire Enables Immediate Restoration of Civil Aviation

With the ceasefire agreement officially announced on May 10, 2025, aviation authorities wasted no time in lifting flight restrictions. As of May 12, all 32 previously suspended airports have reopened for civilian operations, bringing relief to travel agents and airline partners dealing with disrupted schedules and rerouting chaos.

Airports That Are Now Operational Again

Several important commercial and regional hubs are now back online, including:

Srinagar, Jammu, Leh
Amritsar, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Shimla
Jodhpur, Bhuj, Rajkot, Kandla
Kullu-Manali (Bhuntar), Pathankot, Gaggal
And other regional airports across Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat

This rapid reinstatement of services has restored flight access to strategically vital zones for both domestic and international B2B travel operations.

Operational Highlights for B2B Travel Agents

- Random baggage checks

Random baggage checks

Impact on B2B Travel Planning and Airline Strategy

The resumption of operations is a welcome development for the B2B travel industry, restoring air corridors essential for:

However, India-Pakistan overflight restrictions remain, meaning airlines from both countries still cannot traverse each other’s airspace. This affects flight durations and scheduling for international routes that normally rely on cross-border aerial corridors.

What Should Travel Agents Do Now?

Final Takeaway: B2B Agility Matters in Crisis Response

The swift reopening of India’s 32 airports marks a strong signal of aviation resilience amid geopolitical uncertainty. For B2B travel agents and corporate planners, this event underscores the importance of:

Real-time communication
Contingency planning
Strong airline relationships

As air corridors reopen and normalcy resumes, the focus must shift to restoring traveler confidence, rebuilding client trust, and maintaining service reliability in a still-fragile international climate.

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