NEW DELHI, May 12: The Indian government has approved the reopening of 32 airports that were shut down on May 9 due to heightened tensions following cross-border drone and missile attacks, which had escalated in the wake of the Pahalgam massacre, where 26 tourists were killed by terrorists.

The Centre issued the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on Monday, signaling the gradual reopening of airports in areas close to the India-Pakistan border. Airports to be reopened include Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bhuntar, Kishangarh, Patiala, Shimla, Kangra-Gaggal, Bathinda, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Halwara, Pathankot, Jammu, Leh, Mundra, Jamnagar, Hirasar, Porbandar, Keshod, Kandla, and Bhuj.

While the ceasefire announced following a request from Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) is largely holding, the government has chosen to reopen the airports gradually to ensure safety, given the security concerns from recent cross-border hostilities.

In a statement released on Monday, the Indian Army noted, “The night remained largely peaceful across Jammu and Kashmir and other areas along the International Border. No incidents have been reported, marking the first calm night in recent days.”

The decision to reopen these airports marks a significant de-escalation in tensions and follows India’s successful “Operation Sindoor,” which was launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam killings. The reopening of the airports will help restore normalcy in flight operations, which had been severely disrupted due to the ongoing conflict.

Meanwhile, operations at the Delhi International Airport (DIAL) have returned to “currently smooth” conditions. However, with changing airspace regulations and enhanced security measures, some flight schedules and security checkpoint processing times may be affected. Passengers have been advised to check their flight status through their airline or the official Delhi Airport website and to allow extra time for security checks.

Though the ceasefire agreement reached on Saturday has helped ease the situation, the government remains cautious, prioritizing security while allowing for a gradual return to normalcy in aviation operations.