‘Arrive at airports 3 hours before departure’: India tightens air security amid border tensions with Pakistan

#TravelAdvisory

In view of an order by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security on enhanced measures at airports, passengers across India are advised to arrive at their respective airports at least three hours prior to scheduled departure to ensure smooth check-in and boarding.…

— Air India (@airindia) May 8, 2025

Akasa Air echoed the advisory, posting on social media: “#TravelUpdate: Due to enhanced security measures at all airports across India, we request you to reach the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure, to ensure a seamless check-in and boarding experience. Please ensure you carry valid government approved photo identification documents for entry to the airport. In addition to your check-in baggage, only 1 hand bag weighing up to 7 kgs will be permitted. As per regulatory guidelines, all passengers will be required to undergo secondary security checks prior to boarding.”

Source: X@AkasaAir

SpiceJet similarly cautioned passengers: “In light of enhanced security measures across all airports, passengers are advised to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure to ensure a smooth check-in and boarding process.”

(X@SpiceJet)

IndiGo added: “In these extraordinary times, heightened security measures are taken up across all airports. We request you to allow some extra time for your journey to accommodate security checks and formalities. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.”

(Source: X@IndiGo)

These advisories follow Operation Sindoor, an Indian military operation carried out on Wednesday that targeted and destroyed nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The action was in response to the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives.

In the early hours of Thursday, Pakistan retaliated with missile and drone strikes aimed at 15 Indian military sites from Srinagar to Bhuj. India responded by neutralising air defence systems, including a significant radar installation in Lahore.

As a result of heightened military activity, commercial flight operations have been disrupted, particularly in regions close to the border. Airports in Jodhpur, Amritsar, Leh, Jammu, and Kashmir are reporting delays and cancellations, while travel agents express uncertainty about when operations might return to normal.

Here is  a list of airports that have been shut:

#BreakingNews | Kishangarh, Bhuntar (Kullu), Ludhiana added to list of Airports closed by #NOTAM.@tapasjournalist @MoCA_GoI #OperationSindoor #IndiaPakistan #IndiaPakistanTensions #IndiaStrikesTerroristan #IndiaStrikesBack pic.twitter.com/sn1o7ve8Dd

— DD News (@DDNewslive) May 8, 2025

Passengers are advised to monitor official airline channels, carry appropriate identification, and prepare for increased security checks.