New Delhi: In the wake of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, the central government has directed airlines to ensure that there is no surge in airfares on the Srinagar route, aiming to prevent further distress to passengers during this sensitive time.
The directive follows a high-level meeting chaired by Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, who issued a strong advisory to all airline operators against implementing surge pricing. He also coordinated with Home Minister Amit Shah and is closely monitoring the situation alongside relevant authorities.
As part of immediate relief efforts, Air India and IndiGo will operate four additional flights from Srinagar—two each to Delhi and Mumbai—on Wednesday. Additional flights remain on standby to assist with further evacuations if required. The Civil Aviation Ministry confirmed that all rescheduling and cancellation charges on these routes have been waived.
“Airlines have been instructed to maintain regular fare levels and ensure no passenger is overburdened during this period,” an official statement said. The ministry remains on high alert and committed to extending all necessary support to those affected by the tragedy.
Air India announced that it will operate flights from Srinagar to Delhi at 11:30 AM and to Mumbai at 12:00 PM on Wednesday. It also confirmed that its regular services—five daily flights between Delhi/Mumbai and Srinagar—will continue as scheduled. The airline is offering free rescheduling and full refunds on cancellations for confirmed bookings on these routes until April 30.
IndiGo, which operates 20 daily flights to and from Srinagar, has also extended waivers for all bookings made on or before April 22 for travel through April 30. The airline confirmed the operation of two special flights—one each to Delhi and Mumbai—on April 23.
Akasa Air announced that it will provide full refunds for all passengers traveling to or from Srinagar between April 23 and 29. Additionally, passengers can reschedule their travel once without incurring penalties or fare differences for up to seven days from their original travel date.
Air India Express, which runs about 80 weekly flights connecting Srinagar to Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jammu, and Kolkata, has also stepped in to assist. The airline is offering complete waivers on date change fees and fare differences for passengers rescheduling travel up to April 30. Full refunds are available for those opting to cancel their bookings.
Minister Naidu also directed airlines to fully support efforts in transporting the bodies of those killed in the Pahalgam attack to their respective home states, working closely with state governments and local authorities.
These measures aim to provide relief and assistance as the country grapples with the aftermath of one of the worst terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years.
