Passengers at Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport, a key hub for international travelers, expressed relief.
Flight services at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Chandigarh and Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport in Amritsar resumed on Monday, May 12, following a U.S.-mediated ceasefire between India and Pakistan that de-escalated a week of intense cross-border hostilities. The resumption of air travel brings relief to thousands of stranded passengers and signals a cautious return to normalcy in Punjab’s border region.
The airports, among 32 across India, closed due to the conflict, had been shut since May 10 when Pakistan’s drone and missile attacks prompted red alerts in Punjab’s Bathinda, Amritsar, and Jalandhar districts. The ceasefire, announced by U.S. President Donald Trump after talks involving Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, halted the violence that claimed lives and disrupted daily life.
“Flight operations have resumed at both Chandigarh and Amritsar airports as of today, following clearance from security agencies,” said a spokesperson for the Airports Authority of India (AAI). “We urge passengers to contact their airlines for updated schedules and to arrive early to accommodate enhanced security checks.”
Airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and Vistara, confirmed the restart of services, with flights to Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru among the first to operate. Passengers at Amritsar’s Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport, a key hub for international travelers, expressed relief.
The resumption follows rigorous safety assessments, with the Indian Air Force and civil aviation authorities ensuring no residual threats from Pakistani drones, which had targeted civilian and military areas. On X, Punjab’s Civil Aviation Department posted, “Air travel resumes in Chandigarh and Amritsar. Stay updated with your airline for smooth journeys. Safety first.”
While the ceasefire has restored calm, authorities remain vigilant, with increased security at both airports. The development is a positive step for Punjab’s economy, heavily reliant on air connectivity, and for residents recovering from days of blackouts and fear. As flight schedules stabilize, the region looks forward to rebuilding normalcy after a turbulent week.
