Are flights to India still running? That question is starting to dominate conversations across households, WhatsApp groups, and travel forums. After a series of powerful explosions were reported early Saturday at three Pakistani airbases—including Nur Khan Air Base near Islamabad—the conflict between India and Pakistan has edged closer to a full-scale disruption, particularly for travellers with family ties or bookings to India.
The Pakistani government has shut down its entire airspace to civilian and commercial traffic. India, meanwhile, has suspended all operations at 32 airports, mostly in the north and west, until at least 15 May. Travellers heading to cities like Amritsar, Srinagar, Jammu, and even Chandigarh will now need to reroute via Delhi or Mumbai, if those remain open and unaffected. The ripple effect is already visible at departure terminals in Melbourne and Sydney.
Nur Khan Air Base, located in Rawalpindi just a few kilometres from Islamabad, is among Pakistan’s most sensitive military installations. Formerly known as Chaklala Air Base, it houses air force assets and VIP transport units. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show fire and smoke following the blasts. The footage has not been verified by independent news outlets. The Pakistani military said the attacks targeted Nur Khan and two other bases, and blamed Indian missiles for the destruction. India has not formally responded.
Pakistan responded by closing its airspace. Over 300 flights a day that would typically transit over Pakistan are now being rerouted, affecting air travel across Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Europe. Flights from Australia to India that usually go through Doha or Dubai now require longer paths, which has driven up travel times and prices. Some travel aggregators have reported $400 to $800 price hikes for return fares, while others are showing limited availability for popular mid-year travel dates.
The Indian aviation regulator, DGCA, has confirmed that the closure of airports including Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, Pathankot, Bathinda, and Chandigarh is in place until 15 May. Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) have also restricted 25 Air Traffic Service routes in Delhi and Mumbai regions, which further complicates flight planning. Airlines operating from Australia to India have been advising passengers to check their flight status daily and prepare for last-minute rerouting or layovers.
For families planning holidays, weddings, or emergency visits, the timing is deeply unsettling. Bookings made months ago are now in limbo, with many uncertain whether they should postpone or wait. Flexible ticketing has become a necessity. Some families are now looking to fly into southern Indian cities and travel north by road or rail, though there are questions about safety and accessibility in some regions.
Air India, for its part, has reportedly asked the Indian government for financial assistance due to the cost of longer routes. If the Pakistan airspace closure extends into peak travel season, further hikes and scheduling changes are expected.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued fresh advisories, recommending caution for travel to northern India and advising against any travel to Kashmir. There is no evacuation advisory or travel ban in place for Australians currently in India or Pakistan. The tone remains watchful, but measured.
The conflict traces back to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 people. India responded with targeted strikes across the Line of Control. Pakistan retaliated with shelling. On Saturday, the violence escalated further with reported strikes on Pakistani military targets, including Nur Khan. Some outlets are referring to the operation as an undeclared act of war, though no formal declarations have been made by either side.
The risk of miscalculation remains high. With both countries operating advanced missile systems and thousands of troops on high alert, even a limited exchange could escalate unpredictably. There have been reports of explosions in Peshawar, Amritsar, Jammu, and Beas in the past 24 hours, some of which have been linked to retaliatory operations.
Indian indices closed lower on Friday. The rupee fell slightly, adding pressure to remittances. While major Australian banks have not suspended transfers, delays in reaching northern Indian regions have been flagged. Travel insurers are reportedly reviewing their policies around cancellations due to conflict. Most standard plans do not cover war-related disruption, which is now complicating refunds and rebookings for families caught mid-plan.
For now, airlines and civil aviation authorities are calling this a temporary adjustment. But few in the Indian-Australian community are confident enough to make new bookings until clearer updates are issued. What was once a straightforward trip to visit relatives or attend a family function has become a logistical gamble.
The situation may evolve quickly or drag on through the month. Either way, caution is the order of the day. The skies between Australia and India are still open, but the path has grown longer, more expensive, and increasingly uncertain.
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