Following the terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 people, several tourists are now cancelling their bookings to the Kashmir Valley. In response to the rising concern and travel uncertainty, travel portal EaseMyTrip announced free rescheduling and cancellation waivers for all bookings made on or before April 22, applicable for travel until April 30. “To ensure flexibility, we have extended free change and cancellation waivers. We are fully committed to supporting our customers traveling to or from Srinagar,” said Nishant Pitti, Founder and Chairman of EaseMyTrip, in a post on X. The company also urged airlines to consider waiving similar charges to assist affected travellers. Joining the relief effort, budget airline IndiGo said it has waived cancellation and rescheduling fees on tickets booked before April 22 for travel up to April 30. Additionally, the airline is operating two special flights on April 23 — one each from Delhi and Mumbai — to facilitate movement from Srinagar. “In light of the current situation, we’ve added two special flights and waived fees to minimize travel disruptions,” IndiGo said on X. National carrier Air India and low-cost airline SpiceJet have also extended similar waivers. Air India is operating one extra flight each to Delhi and Mumbai and offering full refunds and rescheduling at no extra charge. SpiceJet, in its update on X, confirmed it is running an additional flight and extending waivers until April 30 for bookings made by April 22. Akasa Air and Air India Express have also joined in, offering full refunds or rescheduling without fees for travel between April 23 and 30. “Guests booked on flights to or from Srinagar can cancel for a full refund or reschedule without any additional charges,” Air India Express announced. Government Monitors Airfares, Adds More Flights Amid the panic and rush to exit the Valley, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced that additional flights are being operated from Srinagar and that airfares are being strictly monitored to prevent surge pricing. “As many as 3,337 passengers flew out of Srinagar in 20 flights between 6 am and 12 pm today. We’ve issued instructions to keep fares reasonable and avoid price surges,” Naidu said on X. Three more flights to Delhi were added on Wednesday by IndiGo and SpiceJet, with additional measures such as water and food being arranged at the Srinagar airport. An extra tent has been set up outside the terminal to support waiting passengers. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an advisory directing airlines to increase the number of flights and ensure uninterrupted connectivity from Srinagar. “The aim is to support the evacuation of stranded tourists and meet the unexpected surge in demand,” the advisory noted. Tourism Faces Temporary Setback Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) President Ajay Prakash acknowledged the negative impact of the terror incident on the tourism sector. “In the short term, tourism in J&K will take a significant hit. But as TAFI, we pledge our continued support and are confident that the region will recover swiftly,” he said. Industry Comes Together With the situation evolving, the travel and aviation industries are working in tandem to ensure passenger safety, flexibility in plans, and availability of seats. The unified response — from government ministries to private operators — signals a strong support system for affected tourists, aiming to cushion the blow of a tragedy that shook the Valley.
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