By Mewati Sitaram
Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an urgent advisory on April 23, calling on airlines to increase flight frequencies from Srinagar to help evacuate stranded tourists. With a sudden spike in passenger traffic, thousands of travelers have rushed to the Srinagar Airport in hopes of returning to their hometowns.
“In the aftermath of the incident in Pahalgam, there is an unexpected demand from tourists seeking to return to their homes,” the DGCA stated, urging airlines to quickly add flights and maintain seamless connectivity from Srinagar to cities across India. The advisory also called on carriers to show flexibility by waiving cancellation and rescheduling charges, and to provide necessary assistance to affected travelers.
Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), reaffirmed the government’s efforts to support safe and affordable travel for all tourists. “Strict instructions were given to airline companies to avoid any fare surges. Fares are being monitored and kept reasonable,” he said. He confirmed the addition of three special flights to Delhi on April 23, including two operated by IndiGo and one by SpiceJet, on top of four extra flights already planned.
All airlines have agreed to waive change and cancellation fees, and arrangements at the Srinagar Airport have been enhanced with food, water, and extra shelter for waiting passengers. Between 6 AM and 12 PM alone, the airport facilitated 20 departures and over 3,300 passengers.
Minister Naidu concluded, “I’m personally monitoring the situation. We stand with every citizen and will ensure full support during this difficult time.”
