‘Arrive at airports 3 hours before departure’: Airlines issue advisory amid India-Pakistan escalation

Several airlines across India issued nationwide travel advisories on Thursday, requesting passengers to reach airports at least three hours prior to their scheduled departures. This comes in response to enhanced security protocols implemented by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). As per the new guidelines, all airline check-in counters will now close 75 minutes before flight departure times.

The security tightening follows a sharp escalation in military tensions between India and Pakistan. On Wednesday, Indian armed forces carried out Operation Sindoor, a coordinated strike on nine terrorist sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was conducted in response to the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals.

In the early hours of Thursday, Pakistan launched retaliatory attacks using missiles and drones aimed at 15 Indian military installations, extending from Srinagar to Bhuj. India responded by targeting Pakistani air defence systems, reportedly neutralising a key installation located in Lahore. These exchanges have led to increased military activity along the border and in surrounding regions.

Commercial flight operations have been significantly affected due to the heightened security and military actions. Several airports located close to the India-Pakistan border, including Jodhpur, Amritsar, Leh, Jammu, and airports in Kashmir, have experienced delays and cancellations. Flight schedules remain unpredictable, and travel agents have indicated that there is no official timeline yet for when operations will return to normal.

Authorities have advised all passengers to regularly check with their respective airlines and airport operators for real-time updates. Heightened security checks, revised check-in deadlines, and regional airspace restrictions are expected to continue for an indefinite period as the situation evolves. Passengers are being urged to factor in additional travel time while planning their journeys.