Despite the ongoing border tensions between India and Pakistan, operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport resumed smoothly in the early hours of Saturday. However, passengers have been urged to remain cautious due to enhanced security checks that could cause delays.
In a public notice, the airport authority announced:
“Delhi Airport operations are normal at present. However, due to changing airspace conditions and increased security measures as per orders from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, some flight schedules might be impacted, and security checkpoint processing times could be longer.”
Travelers were requested to:
Stay in contact with their respective airlines
Arrive well in advance to avoid delays
Follow luggage and security protocols
Rely only on official channels for updates
Avoid spreading unverified social media posts
In a major move aimed at enhancing national security, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced a temporary suspension of civil flight operations at 32 airports. These airports are spread across northern and western Indian states including Punjab, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Srinagar, Jammu, and Leh
Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Bikaner
Jodhpur and other regional airfields
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed the coordination with military authorities, and several NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) have been issued to alert all relevant personnel.
The DGCA has stated that the suspension will remain in effect until May 15, but did not provide a timeline for full resumption.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI), established on April 1, 1995, is a statutory body under the ownership of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. It was formed through the merger of the International Airports Authority of India (IAAI) and the National Airports Authority (NAA) with the objective of accelerating the integrated development, expansion, and modernization of civil aviation infrastructure in India.
Headquartered in Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi, AAI plays a crucial role in creating, upgrading, maintaining, and managing civil aviation infrastructure both on the ground and in the airspace of the country.
AAI's responsibilities are comprehensive and span across various aspects of airport management and air traffic control:
Design, Development, Operation, and Maintenance of Airports: This includes international airports, domestic airports, customs airports, and civil enclaves at defense airfields. As of May 2025, AAI manages 137 airports, including 34 international airports, 10 Customs Airports, 81 domestic airports, and 23 Civil enclaves.
Air Traffic Management (ATM): AAI is responsible for the control and management of the Indian airspace extending beyond the territorial limits of the country, as accepted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It provides Communication Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) services over the entire Indian airspace and adjoining oceanic areas.
Infrastructure Development: This involves the construction, modification, and management of passenger and cargo terminals. It also includes the expansion and strengthening of operational areas such as runways, aprons, and taxiways.
Provision of Facilities: AAI ensures the provision of passenger facilities and information systems at airport terminals.
Safety and Security: AAI prioritizes safety and security measures at airports, implementing protocols and ensuring compliance with international aviation standards.
Airside Operations: Manages aircraft movement, ground handling services, runway maintenance, taxiway operations, apron management, and fueling services.
Regional Connectivity: Plays a vital role in promoting regional connectivity by developing and upgrading airports in underserved and remote areas.
International Cooperation: Collaborates with international aviation bodies and organizations to ensure adherence to global standards and exchange best practices.
Air Navigation Services: Provides crucial communication, navigation, and surveillance aids like ILS, DVOR, DME, and Radar. AAI has a dedicated Flight Inspection Unit (FIU) with a fleet of aircraft for the calibration of these navigational aids for its own and other agencies.
The history of AAI can be traced back to the early days of civil aviation in India.
Pre-1972: The Civil Aviation Department of the Government of India managed all civil airports.
1972: The International Airports Authority of India (IAAI) was established to specifically manage the country's international airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata).
1986: The National Airports Authority (NAA) was formed to manage domestic airports.
April 1, 1995: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) was formed by an Act of Parliament, the Airports Authority of India Act, 1994, merging the IAAI and NAA. This merger aimed to create a unified body for the integrated development of airport infrastructure.
Technological Advancements: AAI has been proactive in adopting modern technologies. India became the first country in South-East Asia to implement the Automatic Dependent Surveillance System (ADSS) at its Air Traffic Control centers in Kolkata and Chennai, enabling air traffic control over oceanic areas using satellite communication. AAI, in collaboration with ISRO, has also implemented the GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) project to augment GPS signals for aircraft navigation. Furthermore, Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) procedures have been implemented at major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad.
AAI has a structured organizational framework to manage its vast operations:
Headquarters: Located in New Delhi.
Regional Headquarters: Divided into five administrative regions, each headed by a Regional Executive Director (RED):
Northern Regional Headquarters (Delhi NCR)
Western Regional Headquarters (Mumbai, Maharashtra)
Eastern Regional Headquarters (Kolkata, West Bengal)
Southern Regional Headquarters (Chennai, Tamil Nadu)
North-Eastern Regional Headquarters (Guwahati, Assam)
Board of Directors: Consists of a Chairman and five whole-time members appointed by the central government. The Director General of Civil Aviation is an ex-officio member. Part-time members are also part of the board.
Training Establishments: AAI has five training establishments, including three Air Traffic Services Training Organizations (ATSTOs), to train its personnel.
The advisory and temporary closures come amid escalating cross-border tensions, including reported drone and missile activity. The government is taking pre-emptive steps to avoid any risks to civil aviation operations and to maintain national security readiness.
India’s aviation sector is facing heightened security protocols as a direct consequence of the current geopolitical situation with Pakistan. While operations at Delhi’s IGI Airport have resumed normally, passengers are urged to remain vigilant and adhere strictly to the advisories issued by airport authorities.
With the Directorate General of Civil Aviation suspending civil flights at 32 strategic airports across northern and western India until May 15, travelers are expected to experience disruptions in travel plans. This decision is part of a broader security initiative, aligned with national interests, and coordinated with the Airports Authority of India and military operations.
While no permanent closures have been announced, passengers are encouraged to stay updated through verified sources and cooperate fully with security checks. The situation is being monitored closely, and further updates may follow based on the evolving conditions. India's proactive steps highlight the critical intersection of security and civilian infrastructure during times of heightened military alert.