Pahalgam attack: Srinagar-Delhi flight fares touched Rs 32,000 amid rush to escape Kashmir

Srinagar airport

In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 people dead, around 11,000 people, primarily tourists, are believed to have flown out of Srinagar on Wednesday.

According to airport officials, Srinagar typically handles around 52 arrivals and 52 departures daily, moving between 10,000 and 12,000 passengers during regular periods and up to 18,000 during the current peak tourism season, Times of India reported.

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 pic.twitter.com/jpxhvDDZl6
Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) April 23, 2025

On Wednesday alone, 9,251 passengers had already departed from Srinagar Airport on 47 flights by 7 pm, and the number was expected to cross 11,000 with several flights still scheduled before operations ended at 10 pm.

To accommodate the surge, major airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, and AI Express, included seven additional flights into service. On the other hand, inbound flights to Srinagar saw a wave of cancellations.

The rush to escape the Valley also caused a spike in airfares, with last-minute one-way tickets to Delhi rising up to Rs 32,000. This sudden price surge prompted government intervention to curb further escalation and ensure stranded travellers weren’t exploited.

"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,” Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said in a post on X.

“Food and water are being provided at the airport, and an extra tent has been set up outside for those waiting,” he added.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday issued an advisory directing all commercial airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, to ramp up flight operations from Srinagar and waive any penalties for rescheduling or cancelling bookings. The advisory cited "unexpected demand from tourists" and emphasised the need for "uninterrupted connectivity from Srinagar to various destinations across India."

"The airlines are also requested to provide all necessary assistance to tourists facing unexpected circumstances and challenges during this difficult time," the DGCA added.