The cancellations come just a day after a brief resumption of civilian flights, which had been halted since May 7 due to escalating hostilities. Airlines attributed the renewed suspension to safety concerns, particularly following reports of drone sightings over Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
The resumption of hostilities follows the Pahalgam attack on April 22, where 26 civilians were killed. India attributed the attack to Pakistan-based militants, leading to a series of retaliatory measures, including Operation Sindoor, which involved missile strikes and shelling along the disputed Kashmir border. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire was announced on May 10, but Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that military operations have only been "paused," indicating potential future actions.
The ongoing tensions have significantly disrupted air travel in the region. Pakistan's closure of its airspace to Indian carriers has forced airlines to reroute flights, leading to increased fuel consumption and extended flight durations. Estimates suggest that Indian airlines are incurring additional weekly costs of approximately ₹77 crore due to these rerouted international flights.