Aviation Alert: Temporary Closure of 32 Airports Across North and West India
Notification Aviation Messages: Thirty airports in northern and western regions of India to remain closed until May 15th.
Listen up! The Airports Authority of India (AAI) dropped a bombshell early Saturday morning, announcing the temporary closure of 32 airports across northern and western India for all civil flight operations, effective immediately. Here's the lowdown.
All these airports will remain grounded until 05.29 am on May 15. The affected airports include, but aren't limited to, Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Kandla, Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise, and Uttarlai. A complete list is available for those interested.
The temporary closure also extends to 25 segments of Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes within the Delhi and Mumbai flight information regions (FIRs), as stated in the government notification. These route segments will unavailable from ground level to unlimited altitude until 2359 UTC (coordinated universal time) on May 14, translating to 0529 IST (Indian standard time) on May 15.
The airlines and flight operators have been advised to game-plan alternate routes based on the current air traffic advisories. The AAI and relevant ATC units are working together to manage the closures, ensuring safety and minimizing disruption.
The Delhi airport provided an advisory at 6am on Saturday, stating that operations remain normal, but with some potential Flight schedules being affected. Additional security measures as per orders from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security might cause extended security checkpoint processing times. Passengers are encouraged to stay in the loop with airline updates, adhere to baggage regulations, arrive early, and cooperate with airline and security staff for smooth processing.
For those keeping up with the regional political climate, hallmarks of similar closures in recent years involve heightened tensions and military operations. While the 2023 details might still be a mystery, it is plausible that these closures were a reaction to security concerns and geopolitical tension. So, keep your eyes peeled for official statements and news from that period to get the full scoop! 🔍💿📰
- The temporary closure of airports in India has also affected some sports events, with the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) issuing notices regarding the potential disruption of matches scheduled during this period.
- Despite the closures, the government urges national pride as India is set to play a crucial cricket match against Pakistan next week, with alternative arrangements being made for players' travel to UAE.
- In a surprising turn of events, the Mundra International Stadium has been nominated as an emergency backup venue for the India-Pakistan cricket match, given its proximity to some of the unaffected airports.
- While cancellations and delays were expected, the government urged the public to keep up with notices and to continue supporting their favorite sporting events during these challenging times. #StayStrongIndia #CricketForUnity
