Airlines Ask Passengers To Arrive 3 Hours Before Flight Amid India-Pak Tension

Several airlines, including Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet, advised passengers to arrive at their respective airports at least three hours before scheduled departure on Thursday amid rising India-Pak tensions. 

Additionally, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has banned entry of visitors to the terminal building of airports and also made secondary ladder point checking compulsory for all flights as part of enhanced security arrangements. The secondary ladder point checking refers to re-checking passengers and their hand baggage just before boarding a flight. This is in addition to the primary security checks.

"In view of an order by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security on enhanced measures at airports, passengers across India are advised to arrive at their respective airports at least three hours prior to scheduled departure to ensure smooth check-in and boarding. Check-in closes 75 mins before departure," Air India posted on X.

#TravelAdvisory

In view of an order by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security on enhanced measures at airports, passengers across India are advised to arrive at their respective airports at least three hours prior to scheduled departure to ensure smooth check-in and boarding.…

— Air India (@airindia) May 8, 2025

The advisory came after aerial attacks by Pakistan targeting Jammu as well as several military stations near the western border, were successfully foiled by India's air defence systems.

#6ETravelUpdate

In these extraordinary times, heightened security measures are taken up across all airports. We request you to allow some extra time for your journey to accommodate security checks and formalities. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) May 8, 2025

The attempted strike, involving drones and missiles, triggered blackouts and sirens across several areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Authorities urged residents to remain indoors and vigilant as emergency protocols were activated. India has reportedly undertaken retaliatory action in the wake of the attacks.

Earlier in the day, domestic carriers cancelled around 430 flights on Thursday, which is nearly three per cent of the total scheduled flights in the country, as 27 airports remain shut till May 10.

Tensions between the two neighbours soared significantly following India's Operation Sindoor early Wednesday - in response to Pahalgam killings - and Pakistan's subsequent unsuccessful attempt to attack 15 Indian cities.

On Wednesday, more than 300 flights were cancelled, and operations at 21 airports across northern and western India were suspended.

At a media briefing earlier today, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that escalation by Pakistan will be responded to and is being responded to appropriately.

"The original escalation was by Pakistan on the 22nd of April. We are the ones who are responding to that escalation with the action that was taken yesterday morning. And again, I would like to emphasize that the action was restrained; it was directed towards non-civilian, non-military targets; and confined to terrorist camps. And again, as we've been saying since yesterday, any further action by Pakistan, some of which we are seeing today is nothing but escalation by Pakistan now, once again, and will be responded to and is being responded to appropriately," he said.