In the wake of a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir that left 26 people dead and several more injured, Indian carriers Air India and IndiGo have announced special flights and travel waivers for affected passengers.
The attack took place Tuesday afternoon in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, where gunmen opened fire on a group of visitors. The assault has sparked international outrage, with countries including the UAE strongly condemning the violence.
In response to the deteriorating situation in the region, both airlines are offering additional support to travelers scheduled to fly to or from the affected areas. IndiGo said it would operate two special flights on April 23 — one each from Delhi and Mumbai to Srinagar. The airline is also providing extended waivers on rescheduling and cancellations for bookings made before April 22, valid for travel through April 30.
Air India announced similar measures, with two special flights scheduled for Wednesday:
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Srinagar to Delhi at 11:30 a.m. local time (10 a.m. UAE time)
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Srinagar to Mumbai at 12:00 noon local time (10:30 a.m. UAE time)
In addition, Air India said it would offer full refunds and complimentary rescheduling for confirmed passengers traveling on these routes through April 30. Regular flights to and from Srinagar will continue to operate as planned.
The Indian government has launched a large-scale manhunt for the attackers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Saudi Arabia at the time of the incident, cut his trip short and returned to India early Wednesday morning to hold emergency security meetings, according to a government official.
The attack in Pahalgam is being described as one of the deadliest targeting civilians in the region in recent memory. With Kashmir being promoted as a major tourist destination in recent years, the violence has raised concerns about safety in the area, especially during the busy summer travel season.
Airlines are urging passengers to stay updated via official channels and to make use of the travel flexibility being offered in light of the current situation.
