India Reopens 32 Airports After Ceasefire: What B2B Travel Professionals Must Know

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

• Airlines Resume Flights: Major carriers like IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air have reactivated services at reopened airports. Agents can expect some temporary schedule tweaks as ground operations normalize.

• Passenger Guidance: Travelers should verify real-time flight status with airlines, as some delays or staggered schedules may persist due to backlog management and reallocation of aircraft.

• Security Protocols Remain Tight: The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) continues to enforce heightened security screening, including:

  • Random baggage checks

  • Secondary ladder point inspections

  • Restricted terminal access for visitors

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:

• Corporate travel across tier-1 and tier-2 cities

• Group movements tied to business events and tours

• MICE traffic, especially from Delhi, Chandigarh, and Rajasthan clusters

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?

• Update Bookings Promptly: Inform clients about the restored airport statuses and assist in rebooking or rerouting impacted itineraries.

• Communicate Clearly: Send proactive updates to corporate and group clients regarding resumed services and new security requirements.

• Prepare for Rebookings: Align with airline partners on refund eligibility, revalidation, and fare class adjustments to avoid revenue leakage.

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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