New Delhi: Civil aviation minister K Rammohan Naidu has assured that passenger services will return to normalcy across the country from Thursday. He met representatives of all airlines during the day and discussed the matter of reopening of airports in northern and western India.
Thirty-two airports in northern and western India were closed to civilian services since India launched Operation Sindoor against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) on May 7. These were thrown open to civilian flights from Tuesday but save for SpiceJet that operated a flight between Delhi and Srinagar, no other airline operated flights to these airports during the day, citing security reasons.
SpiceJet has also announced a couple of flights from Srinagar to Medina in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to cater to Haj pilgrims from the state of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Thousands of travellers from across the country are facing hardships due to the non-resumption of flights by airlines such as IndiGo and Air India. Finally, Naidu convened the meeting to discuss the issue with the airlines.
“Chaired a review meeting with all airlines and senior officials. In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, I appreciate the extraordinary efforts of the security forces in safeguarding our nation. Also, kudos to the seamless coordination between the Ministry, DGCA, AAI and airlines during this emergency,” Naidu posted on X.
“With the NOTAM ending on 15th May, I suggested that airlines resume their normal schedules from the 15th across all 32 airports for which the NOTAM was issued. All airlines responded positively to this suggestion,” he added.
“We, Ministry of Civil Aviation are proud to witness the aviation sector rising to the occasion with a unified commitment to ‘Nation First’. With the continued support of airlines, airport operators, and other partners, the Ministry will stand firmly with the armed forces,” the minister further stated.
