Following the Pahalgam terror attack, the aviation regulator advises airlines to ramp up connectivity, waive cancellation charges, and assist stranded tourists.
New Delhi, April 23: In response to rising demand and mounting concerns following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed airlines to increase the number of flights operating to and from Srinagar. The advisory follows reports of tourists cutting their Kashmir trips short and seeking immediate departures from the region.
The DGCA has also requested airlines to waive cancellation and rescheduling charges, urging them to extend all possible support to travelers navigating “unexpected circumstances.”
“The airlines are also requested to consider waiving cancellation and rescheduling fees and provide all necessary assistance to tourists facing unexpected challenges during this difficult time,” the DGCA said in its official advisory.
IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, announced special measures in response to the situation. The airline has introduced two special flights on April 23 — one each from Delhi and Mumbai to Srinagar — and extended waivers on all rescheduling or cancellation fees for travel until April 30, applicable to bookings made on or before April 22.
“In light of the current situation in Srinagar, we’ve extended waivers on rescheduling/cancellation. We’re also operating two special flights today,” the airline said in a post on X.
The terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of several tourists, has shaken the Valley, prompting many visitors to leave early. Security visuals show deserted streets in what is usually a bustling tourist hotspot.
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In the wake of the attack — one of the most serious incidents since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 — security forces have launched massive search operations to locate the perpetrators. Several local organisations have called for a Jammu bandh, and heightened security measures are in place across the Valley.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also met with the families of the victims at the Police Control Room in Srinagar earlier today, reaffirming the government’s commitment to bringing the attackers to justice.
While the government has yet to release an official casualty figure, the impact on tourism and public sentiment is already significant, with airlines, officials, and local stakeholders scrambling to manage the aftermath of the tragedy.
