Srinagar, May 13, 2025 – Srinagar International Airport, also known as Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport, resumed civilian flight operations on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, after a six-day suspension caused by heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control and International Border . The resumption of flights signals a return to normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir following a ceasefire agreement that ended cross-border hostilities.
The airport was shut down on May 7, 2025, as part of a broader closure of 32 airports across northern and western India, including Jammu, Leh, and Amritsar, due to India’s Operation Sindoor. The operation targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. Pakistan’s retaliatory drone and missile strikes, along with shelling in border areas like Poonch and Rajouri, prompted the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to issue a Notice to Airmen , halting civilian flights until May 15, 2025.
A ceasefire agreement reached on May 10, 2025, with no reported violations since May 11, led to the early revocation of the NOTAM on May 12, allowing Srinagar and other airports to reopen. Airlines, including Air India and SpiceJet, began resuming flights to Srinagar on May 13, though some carriers, like IndiGo, canceled services for the day due to operational constraints. Airport Director Javed Anjum confirmed the facility was fully operational, stating, “Srinagar Airport is ready to serve passengers, and we expect normal schedules to resume soon.”
The closure disrupted thousands of travelers, including pilgrims for Hajj 2025, with seven Hajj flights from Srinagar canceled. Authorities announced that Hajj flights would resume on May 14, with a revised schedule to accommodate affected pilgrims. The resumption of flights is a relief for residents, tourists, and businesses reliant on air connectivity, though airlines have cautioned about potential delays as operations stabilize.
The ceasefire has restored calm across Jammu and Kashmir, with the Indian Army reporting no incidents along the LoC or IB since May 11. The reopening of Srinagar International Airport underscores cautious optimism for sustained peace and recovery in the region.