UAE travellers rejoice as India reopens 32 airports amid ceasefire with Pakistan
Emirates, flydubai, Etihad, Air Arabia restore routes to Pakistan and India
DUBAI: India reopened 32 previously closed airports for civil aviation on Monday, marking a significant development for travellers across South Asia and the Middle East.
The move follows a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan to de-escalate recent tensions along their shared border. UAE-based airlines and passengers have already begun reaping the benefits of restored air connectivity.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) confirmed that restrictions on the affected airports were lifted with immediate effect, ahead of the earlier deadline of 05:29 hours on May 15, 2025. The decision came as part of broader confidence-building measures initiated over the weekend by both nations after a temporary four-day conflict.
Airlines reactivate routes
Following the partial closure of Indian airspace and full shutdown across Pakistan, hundreds of flights were cancelled, with passengers facing uncertainty and delays. The resumption of services now promises relief, particularly for international carriers and travellers flying between the UAE and the subcontinent.
UAE carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, and Air Arabia confirmed the resumption of their scheduled operations to Pakistan from Sunday, with many routes to India stabilising as air traffic patterns return to normal. Emirates restored flights to Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Sialkot, and Peshawar over a two-day period. Flydubai resumed services to multiple cities and announced continued monitoring of the situation.
Etihad reinstated its flights from Abu Dhabi to Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, although a few were temporarily cancelled on Sunday. According to its website, most flights from Monday onwards were set to operate as scheduled, barring two early morning departures.
List of affected Indian airports
The temporary closure had initially involved 24 airports, but the number was later increased to 32 as a precaution. All are now operational. The airports span across northern and western India, including key hubs and military-civil dual-use facilities.
The reopened airports include: Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Chandigarh (resumed at 10:30 AM on May 12), Amritsar, Srinagar, Jammu, Jaisalmer, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Adampur, Ambala, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Halwara, Hindon, Kandla, Kangra, Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot, Sarsawa, Shimla, Thoise, and Uttarlai.
This sweeping reactivation follows the cancellation of multiple Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), which had previously suspended civil flight operations from these locations.
Ceasefire boosts confidence
The reopening decision came shortly after high-level ceasefire talks between New Delhi and Islamabad were brokered by the United States. Both sides announced on Saturday that they had agreed to stand down and resume dialogue, following days of drone and missile attacks that left at least 60 people dead.
India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation had extended the airport closures on May 10, warning passengers to prepare for continued disruptions. However, the ceasefire prompted a swift change in policy, enabling air traffic to return to normal sooner than expected.
Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority mirrored the move by lifting airspace restrictions nationwide, allowing for full restoration of domestic and international flight schedules. This has proved critical for thousands of UAE-based South Asian expatriates whose travel plans were disrupted.
Traveller advisory issued
The Airports Authority of India advised all passengers to check flight statuses directly with airlines and keep monitoring airline websites for real-time updates. Many carriers have also encouraged passengers to arrive at least three hours before departure due to increased security checks.
This proactive advisory came in response to the surge in rebookings and demand from passengers who had been stranded or awaiting confirmation of safe travel corridors.
With full flight operations now reinstated across India and Pakistan, regional air travel is expected to normalise further in the coming days, though officials continue to monitor the situation closely in the event of new developments.