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India Gazette
23-04-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Strict instructions given to Airlines to avoid any fare surges: Civil Aviation Minister after Pahalgam terror attack
New Delhi [India], April 23 (ANI): In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Wednesday said the government is making efforts to ensure the safe travel of tourists from Srinagar and also issued 'strict instructions' to Airlines to avoid any fare surges. He also stated that all airlines operating from Srinagar have 'waived cancellation and rescheduling charges to support passengers.' The minister's response came after flight ticket prices 'rose sharply' following the news of the terrorist attack on Tuesday evening, apparently due to heavy demand. Airfares to major Indian cities have since skyrocketed. Searches on the websites of airline operators either show elevated ticket prices or indicate that tickets are sold out. In a post on X, Naidu said, 'In the wake of the tragic terror attack, we are constantly making efforts to ensure safe travel of tourists from Srinagar. Strict instructions were given to Airline companies to avoid any fare surges, Fares are being monitored and kept at reasonable levels.' 'In addition to the four extra flights already announced, three more flights to Delhi have been added for today--IndiGo 6E 3203 (Dep: 1700, Arrival: 1800), IndiGo 6E 3103 (Dep: 1800, Arrival: 1930), and a SpiceJet flight scheduled to depart at 10:30 PM. All airlines operating from Srinagar have waived cancellation and rescheduling charges to support passengers,' Naidu said. The Civil Aviation Minister further said that 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 3337 Pax. I am personally monitoring the situation and in constant touch with Home Ministry and airline operators. This is a time for solidarity. We stand with every citizen and will ensure all support needed,' he said. The attack, carried out by terrorists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday, is one of the deadliest in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. Haryana Minister Anil Vij termed the attack a 'sad incident', asserting that the perpetrators will get a befitting reply. 'This is a very sad incident. But I want to tell you that this is now PM Narendra Modi's India. I don't know where it will happen, when it will happen and how it will happen, but I know one thing that they will be given such a befitting reply that they will neither dare to commit such an incident nor will those who send them ever think about it,' Anil Vij said. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday visited the Government Medical College (GMC) in Anantnag to meet the injured victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed several lives and left others wounded. Earlier today, Shah visited the affected area of Baisaran meadow where the attack took place. The Union Minister first took an aerial stock of the region as he arrived at the site by helicopter, descending onto the meadow now bearing the scars of violence. (ANI)
Mint
23-04-2025
- Mint
Airlines operate addl flights to Srinagar; govt says fares being kept at reasonable levels
New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) The government on Wednesday announced additional flights will be operated from Srinagar and that airfares on the route are being kept at reasonable levels amid a large number of tourists looking to return from J&K in the aftermath of the Phalagam terror attack. As many as 3,337 passengers flew out of Srinagar in 20 flights between 6 am and 12 pm on Wednesday. IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet are operating a total of seven extra flights in addition to their normal scheduled services from Srinagar. At least 26 people, mostly tourists, died in the Phalagam terror attack. 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. 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. In an advisory on Wednesday, DGCA said that 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," it said. According to the advisory, airlines have also been asked to provide all necessary assistance to tourists facing unexpected circumstances and challenges during this difficult time. 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. First Published: 23 Apr 2025, 04:13 PM IST
Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
Pahalgam attack: Landslide hit National Highway at Ramban open for one-way traffic, more flights arranged for tourists
The landslide-hit Jammu-Srinagar National Highway at Ramban was reopened on Wednesday for one-way traffic after remaining closed for the last three days. The resumption of vehicular traffic is expected to facilitate the movement of tourists wanting to leave the Kashmir Valley in the wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam. "The (Jammu-Srinagar) national highway at Ramban is made functional on a one-way basis,' the spokesperson said, also announcing the launch of a special train service from SMVD Katra station to New Delhi to assist the stranded passengers and accommodate the "extra rush". 'The administration remains committed to the well-being of all tourists and urges everyone to cooperate and follow the necessary guidelines,' he said. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, was blocked on Sunday as heavy rains triggered multiple landslides during the early hours. Terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam has reportedly triggered an exodus of tourists, which Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said was heartbreaking. 'At the same time, we understand why people would want to leave. While DGCA & the Ministry of Civil Aviation are working to organise extra flights, NH-44 between Srinagar & Jammu has been reconnected for traffic in a single direction,' said the NC leader in a post on X. Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the ministry is also making other arrangements to ensure the safe travel of tourists from Srinagar. The TDP leader also said that he is 'personally monitoring the situation and in constant touch with the home ministry and airline operators.' 'Strict instructions were given to Airline companies to avoid any fare surges. Fares are being monitored and kept at reasonable levels,' Naidu wrote on X. '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. All airlines operating from Srinagar have waived cancellation and rescheduling charges to support passengers,' Naidu said. '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 3337 Pax,' he added.
