A day after the terror attack in Pahalgam, over 6,000 passengers departed Srinagar between 0600 hrs and 2300 hrs, as tourists rushed to leave Jammu and Kashmir. Airlines were also directed to waive cancellation and rescheduling fees. Meanwhile, nearly 90 per cent bookings for Jammu and Kashmir have been cancelled by tourists over safety concerns.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has instructed airlines to temporarily operate more flights out of Srinagar to handle the rush of tourists who want to cancel their holiday and leave Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of Tuesday’s terror attack.
Airlines were also advised to waive cancellation and rescheduling fees. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued advisory to airlines to “take swift action” to increase flights to and from Srinagar to facilitate evacuation of stranded tourists. IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet are operating a total of seven extra flights in addition to their normal scheduled services from Srinagar.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation asked the airlines to ensure there is no surge in airfares on the Srinagar route, and airlines will be operating additional flights to the city. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Wednesday said that strict instructions were given to airline companies to avoid any fare surges, and that fares are being monitored and kept at reasonable levels. His comments also came against the backdrop of some websites apparently showing ticket prices of over `50,000 for flights to Srinagar. Terrorists struck at a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people, mostly tourists, and injuring several others. Among the deceased were two foreigners-one each from the UAE and Nepal-and two locals.
“In the aftermath of the incident in Pahalgam, there is an unexpected demand from tourists seeking to return to their homes. In this regard, the airlines are advised to take swift action to increase the number of flights in response to heightened demand and also to ensure uninterrupted connectivity from Srinagar to various destinations across India, facilitating evacuation of stranded tourists,” read the DGCA advisory released on Wednesday, April 23.
The advisory also called upon airlines to be considerate of passengers caught in unforeseen circumstances. “The airlines are also requested to consider waiving cancellation and rescheduling fees and provide all necessary assistance to tourists facing unexpected circumstances and challenges during this difficult time,” it added.
The country’s largest airline IndiGo said that in view of the emergent situation, it has taken steps to keep the fares moderated. The minister also emphasised that constant efforts are being made to ensure safe travel of tourists from Srinagar. “In addition to the four extra flights already announced, three more flights to Delhi have been added for today — IndiGo 6E 3203 (Dep: 1700, Arr: 1800), IndiGo 6E 3103 (Dep: 1800, Arr: 1930), and a SpiceJet flight scheduled to depart at 10:30 PM,” he said in a post on X. All airlines operating from Srinagar have waived cancellation and rescheduling charges to support passengers.
“Food and water are being provided at the airport, and an extra tent has been set up outside for those waiting. Between 6 am and 12 pm today, Srinagar Airport handled 20 departures with 3,337 pax,” Naidu said. The minister also said that he is personally monitoring the situation and is in constant touch with the home ministry as well as airline operators.
IndiGo said that to support those travelling to/from Srinagar, it is offering waivers for cancellation fees or rescheduling charges.
“IndiGo has added special flights to Srinagar from Delhi and Mumbai with immediate effect and will be operating these over and above the regular schedule of 160 weekly flights from / to Srinagar from various parts of India,” the airline, which operates 20 flights daily connecting Srinagar with various Indian cities, said in a statement.
Air India is operating one additional flight each from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai. It has five flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Srinagar daily. The airline is also offering complimentary rescheduling and full refunds on cancellations to passengers with confirmed bookings till April 30 on these sectors, according to a post on X.
SpiceJet, in a post on X, said it is operating an additional flight and also extending waivers on rescheduling and cancellations for Srinagar flights till April 30. It will be applicable for bookings made on or before April 22. Akasa Air, in a post on X, said passengers who wish to cancel their bookings will be provided with a full refund at no additional charge for all flights departing between April 23 and 29 to/from Srinagar.
“Guests booked to travel on Air India Express flights from or to Srinagar until 30th April 2025 are being offered the flexibility to reschedule their travel with a complete waiver of date change fees and fare difference,” the airline said in a post on X. According to the airline, passengers may also opt to cancel their bookings and receive a full refund to their original mode of payment.
Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) President and Nomad Travels CEO Ajay Prakash said in the short term, tourism in J&K will take a significant hit due to the attack. “As TAFI, we pledge to support tourism in J&K, and we are confident that it will recover very quickly,” he said.
Travel agencies in Delhi reported that nearly 90 per cent bookings for Kashmir have been cancelled, while some tourists are negotiating to shift their plans to alternative destinations.
“We had a few bookings from families. From bus and flight tickets to hotels — everything was booked in advance. But the moment the news of the terror attack broke, we started receiving calls for cancellations,” Dev, the owner of Kusha Travels, said. Another travel agency, Swastik Travels, said Kashmir is not just the first-choice destination for Delhiites, but also very popular among the tourists visiting Delhi, many of whom plan onward trips to the valley.
“It is not just Delhi residents cancelling their plans — tourists already in the capital are also calling off their Kashmir trips, even though hotel tariffs are at a peak this summer. People are cancelling regardless of the cost,” said the owner of Swastik Travels.