Pahalgam terror attack: Airlines step in to support stranded passengers

In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack which claimed 26 lives on Tuesday several airlines have offered free cancellations to passengers stranded in SrinagarAkasa AirAkasa Air has announced free cancellations and rescheduling for all flights to and from Srinagar scheduled between Wednesday April 23 and April 29 2025Akasa Air took to its official handle on X formerly Twitter and stated that the airline shared its support for the nation and affected travellersWe are profoundly saddened by the tragic events in Pahalgam Jammu and Kashmir Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families who have lost loved ones and to those whose lives have been impactedmdash Akasa Air AkasaAir April 22 2025ldquoIn support of the nation and the travelling customers Akasa Air is committed to providing enhanced flexibility through change and cancellation fee waivers for all flights to and from Srinagarrdquo stated the airlineCustomers can make their first schedule change at no additional charge including waiver of penalty or fare difference for travel within 7 days from their original date the post addedPassengers with existing bookings within this timeframe can cancel their tickets for a full refund without incurring cancellation charges Alternatively they may opt to reschedule their travel once free of costThis move comes as a relief to passengers amid heightened security concerns and ongoing tensions in the regionEarlier the Civil Aviation Ministry had asked airlines to ensure there is no surge in airfares on the Srinagar route and airlines will be operating additional flights to the cityTerrorists struck at a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday killing at least 26 people mostly tourists and injuring several othersAir India and IndiGo will operate a total of four additional flights from Srinagar to the national capital and Mumbai on Wednesday Airlines have also waived ticket rescheduling and cancellation chargesCivil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu held an urgent meeting with all airline operators and issued a strong advisory against surge pricing on the Srinagar routeAirlines have been directed to maintain regular fare levels ensuring that no passenger is burdened during this sensitive time an official release said on WednesdayNaidu also spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah and is monitoring the situation closely in coordination with relevant authoritiesAs part of immediate relief measures four special flights from Srinagar two to Delhi and two to Mumbai have been arranged with additional flights kept on standby to cater to further evacuation needs the release saidThe minister has also directed all the airlines to extend full cooperation for the transportation of the victims to their respective home states and work in sync with state governments and local authoritiesThe ministry remains on high alert and remains committed to extending every possible assistance to those affected the release saidAir IndiaAir India will operate a flight from Srinagar to Delhi at 1130 am and from Srinagar to Mumbai at 12 pmAll our other flights to and from Srinagar will continue to operate as per schedule it said in a post on XAir India operates five flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Srinagar dailyThe airline is also offering complimentary rescheduling and full refunds on cancellations to passengers with confirmed bookings till April 30 on these sectorsIndigoMeanwhile IndiGo said that given the emerging situation in Srinagar it has extended waivers for rescheduling or cancellations for travel until April 30 applicable to bookings made on or TuesdayAdditionally we are operating two flights today April 23 to and from Srinagar one each from Delhi and Mumbai the airline said in a post on XIndiGo operates 20 flights daily connecting SrinagarAir India ExpressAir India Express said that given the prevailing situation in Pahalgam it is extending full support to its passengers flying to and from SrinagarGuests 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 XAccording to the airline passengers may also opt to cancel their bookings and receive a full refund to their original mode of paymentAir India Express connects Srinagar directly to five destinations Bengaluru Delhi Hyderabad Jammu and Kolkata with around 80 weekly flightsatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params