Arrive 3 Hours Early: India Tightens Airport Security Amid Cross-Border Tensions

New Delhi: In response to heightened India–Pakistan tensions, airport security protocols have been significantly ramped up nationwide, and new travel guidelines have been issued.
Passengers are now urged to arrive at their departure airports at least three hours in advance. Air India, SpiceJet, and IndiGo warn that check-in counters will close 90 minutes before flight time.
Following Operation Sindoor—India’s precision missile strikes on terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir—authorities temporarily shuttered 25 airports across northern and western India, grounding over 200 flights on Wednesday.
Closed airports include Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Kullu-Manali, Kishangarh, Patiala, Shimla, Kangra, Bathinda, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Halvad, Pathankot, Jammu, Leh, Mundra, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Keshod, Kandla, Bhuj, and Thoise.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has indicated that some of these airports may reopen by May 10, while others will remain closed until further notice, pending security assessments.
Additionally, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has mandated secondary “ladder-point” security checks for all flights and banned non-travelling visitors from terminal buildings. Overall screening protocols have been enhanced, with heightened perimeter patrols and increased deployment of security personnel at check-in halls, boarding gates, and apron areas.
Authorities stressed that these measures are precautionary steps to ensure passenger safety amid the current cross-border hostilities. Airlines and airport operators have been instructed to provide regular updates to travellers through SMS and public-address announcements, and to coordinate closely with BCAS and local law enforcement agencies.