India on Monday announced it has re-opened 32 airports closed amid clashes with neighbor Pakistan, following a ceasefire over the weekend.
The 32 airports are now open for civil aircraft operations with immediate effect, the Airports Authority of India said in a statement.
Pakistan’s airport authority completely reopened its airspace on Saturday.
India’s leading airlines, IndiGo, announced it will gradually start operations on previously closed routes.
Earlier around 440+ flights were cancelled in India, as tension still high near border and military still alert.
Air travel in north cities like Srinagar, Amritsar, Jammu, Ladakh, Dharamshala, Shimla, Chandigarh and Adampur not operating since morning. Sources in Indian aviation say aircrafts at these airports already taken out, and no restart expected soon.
Srinagar Airport stayed shut now full week, with 65 flights not flying. Leh airport in Ladakh also cancelled all 30 flights for day. Jammu grounded another 30. Officials removed all planes from airports for safety.
Chandigarh Airport alone had 84 cancellations. From Dharamshala, 14 flights didn’t go. In west, Rajkot Herasar, Jodhpur, and Bhuj together saw 50 flights not leave. Airports in middle and western regions also suspended flights whole day.
Disruptions come after reported airstrike by India, followed by Pakistan response using Fateh-1 missile system. Pakistan says it hit India’s S-400 air defense setup, worth over $1.5 billion, at Adampur base using missile from JF-17 Thunder jet.
This was seen as major step up in fighting. After US pushed both sides, truce was declared two days back by leaders from both countries.
Still, ongoing airport shutdown hint India military not taking chances. Reports say defense units in north states still on high alert. Government hasn’t shared when flights will continue again.
No word yet from India’s Foreign Ministry about Pakistan’s statement on destroyed missile system.
Many experts warn that even with truce, both armies seem ready for more, especially near tense borders.
