In the aftermath of the deadly terror attack near Pahalgam, Kashmir, that claimed the lives of 26 people — most of them tourists — Air India and IndiGo have announced the operation of four additional flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai on Wednesday, April 23.
Air India confirmed its decision via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "In view of the prevailing situation, Air India will operate two additional flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai on Wednesday, April 23." IndiGo also confirmed through an official that it would be adding two extra services on the same routes to aid passenger movement in the wake of the tragedy.
The sudden escalation in violence has caused widespread panic, leading to urgent travel needs and logistical challenges, particularly for the families of the victims. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke with Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu following reports that several of the deceased hailed from Maharashtra. According to a statement from Shinde's office, he has requested special arrangements to expedite the return of the mortal remains from Srinagar to Mumbai. In response, Minister Naidu has assured that "all necessary measures will be taken and special arrangements will be made to facilitate the return of the bodies at the earliest."
As part of its crisis response, Air India will operate an additional flight from Srinagar to Delhi at 11:30 am and to Mumbai at 12 noon on Wednesday. The airline also announced that all other scheduled flights to and from Srinagar will continue uninterrupted. Operating five daily flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Srinagar, Air India further stated that it is offering full refunds and complimentary rescheduling for passengers with confirmed bookings through April 30 on these sectors.
IndiGo, which runs 20 daily flights from Srinagar, echoed similar support. In a statement, the airline said, “To support those traveling to/from Srinagar, we are offering waivers for cancellation or rescheduling, besides adding two flights from Mumbai and Delhi to Srinagar over and above the regular schedule.”
Air India Express has also stepped in to assist travelers affected by the ongoing unrest. The airline announced that passengers traveling to or from Srinagar until April 30, 2025, will be offered flexibility in rescheduling their trips, including a complete waiver of date change fees and fare differences. Additionally, customers may cancel their bookings and receive a full refund to their original mode of payment. Air India Express operates around 80 weekly flights connecting Srinagar to Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jammu, and Kolkata.
