Following the , Tata group airline Air India will be operating two additional flights from Srinagar in Wednesday for those wanting to return from the valley. The carrier and its budget airline arm Air India Express have also announced free rescheduling and full refunds on flights to and from Srinagar till April 30.
Tuesday’s terrorist attack in which armed terrorists opened fire at tourists in Pahalgam had led to calls for evacuation of tourists wanting to leave the Kashmir valley. Moreover, a large number of tourists have been stranded in the Valley for over three days as the -Srinagar national highway is closed due to damage caused by recent flashfloods and landslides in the Ramban district. This, too, had led to calls from tour operators and travel agents for evacuation of stranded tourists by air.
The highway, a critical lifeline connecting the Kashmir valley to the rest of the country, is likely to be closed for a few more days for repairs. This means that flying out of Srinagar would be the only viable option for tourists looking to leave the Valley. Fares for flights out of Srinagar have also shot up over the past few days due to a sudden surge in demand.
“In view of the prevailing situation, Air India will operate two additional flights from Srinagar to and on Wednesday, 23rd April. Details of the two flights are as under: Srinagar to Delhi – 11:30 AM; Srinagar to Mumbai – 12:00 noon. Booking for these flights are now open. All our other flights to and from Srinagar will continue to operate as per schedule,” Air India said in post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
“Air India is also offering complimentary rescheduling and full refunds on cancellations to passengers with confirmed bookings till 30th April 2025 on these sectors,” the airline added.
Air India group’s airline Air India Express said: “In view of the prevailing situation in Pahalgam, Air India Express is extending full support to its guests flying to and 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. Guests may also opt to cancel their bookings and receive a full refund to their original mode of payment.”
Air India Express connects Srinagar directly to five destinations—, Delhi, , Jammu, and —with approximately 80 weekly flights. Its parent Air India operates direct flights to Srinagar from Delhi and Mumbai. Besides these two airlines, IndiGo, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet also operate flights to and from Srinagar.
