Pahalgam Terror Attack: Government Steps In To Ease Travel Woes For Stranded Tourists

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Wednesday has directed airline operators to support tourists affected by the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The directive, issued after the incident on Tuesday, asked carriers to waive cancellation and rescheduling charges, maintain regular fares, and operate additional flights to manage evacuation and demand.

The Baisaran Valley attack on Tuesday afternoon left at least 26 tourists dead and several injured. The government is carrying out evacuation and rescue operations in coordination with local authorities.

The aviation ministry has asked airlines to extend full cooperation to affected passengers. Four special flights from Srinagar—two to Delhi and two to Mumbai—have been arranged. Airlines have also been advised to keep more flights on standby in case of urgent evacuation needs.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has reiterated the need to scale up operations and ensure uninterrupted connectivity from Srinagar to various cities. Airlines have been issued a strong advisory to avoid surge pricing and facilitate full refunds and rescheduling for affected travellers.

Airline-Wise Measures

Air India

• Operating two additional flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai on Wednesday, 23 April.

• Srinagar to Delhi: 11:30 AM

• Srinagar to Mumbai: 12:00 noon

• All other flights to and from Srinagar are operating as per schedule.

• Offering complimentary rescheduling and full refunds on cancellations for confirmed bookings on affected routes until 30 April.

#TravelAdvisory

In view of the prevailing situation, Air India will operate two additional flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai on Wednesday, 23rd April.

Details of the two flights are as under:
Srinagar to Delhi – 11:30 AM
Srinagar to Mumbai – 12:00 noon
Booking for…

Air India Express

• Offering flexibility in rescheduling and a full waiver of date change fees and fare differences for passengers travelling to or from Srinagar until April 30.

• Operates approximately 80 weekly flights connecting Srinagar to Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jammu, and Kolkata.

• Offers onwards connectivity to 26 other destinations, including Agartala, Ayodhya, Chennai, Goa, Kochi, Mumbai, Patna, Thiruvananthapuram, and Varanasi.

#ImportantUpdate

We are waiving all change and cancellation fees for our flights to and from Srinagar until 30th April 2025, in consideration of the prevailing situation.

To change or cancel your bookings online, please visit: https://t.co/20Ow1YVToE or #ChatWithTia on +91… pic.twitter.com/2d86vkBUfA

Akasa Air

• Waiving cancellation and rescheduling fees for all flights to and from Srinagar between 23 and April 29.

• Providing full refunds at no additional charge.

• Waiving fare differences and penalties for travel rescheduled within seven days of the original travel date.

In support of the nation and the traveling customers, Akasa Air is committed to providing enhanced flexibility through change and cancellation fee waivers for all flights to and from Srinagar.

Customers who wish to cancel their bookings will be provided with a full refund at…

IndiGo

• Extending waivers on cancellation and rescheduling.

• Operating special flights on April 23.

#TravelAdvisory:
In light of the current situation in #Srinagar, we've extended waivers on rescheduling/cancellation. We're also operating two special flights on April 23. For more information, please visit https://t.co/h9C5tfcUUP or call +91 124 4973838 - +91 124 6173838 pic.twitter.com/SDccuqW1Gl

SpiceJet

• A travel advisory is awaited.

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