Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Apr 23 : In the aftermath of the recent attack in Pahalgam, where at least 27 people were killed in a terrorist attack, a sharp and distressing hike has occurred in airfares.
One-way ticket prices from Srinagar to Delhi have soared to a staggering Rs 28,000, leaving travellers helpless and outraged. What is usually a journey costing Rs 3,000–Rs 6,000 has now turned into a financial burden that many can no longer afford, especially in urgent or emergency situations.
Details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reveal that tour operators and online travel company surveys report multiple airlines charging anywhere between Rs 15,000 and Rs 28,000 for a single Srinagar-Delhi ticket.
“This is outright exploitation. I had to book a ticket urgently to Delhi, and the airline quoted Rs 22, 000 for a one-way trip. How is this even legal?” said a resident of Rajbagh, Srinagar, speaking to KNO.
Similarly, a tourist at Srinagar airport said they came to enjoy the beauty of Kashmir, but now they are stuck. “After the attack, our families are worried and asking us to return. But Rs 22,000 for a one-way flight? It feels like we are being held hostage by the airlines.”
Tour operators in the Valley say the panic following the attack has led to a wave of ticket inquiries.
“After the Pahalgam incident, we have been flooded with calls. Many want to leave immediately, but even we can’t help. There is no regulation. Some of our clients have cancelled plans altogether,” said a travel consultant based in Srinagar.
Moreover, locals and visitors alike have urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation to step in with fare caps to curb what they call “opportunistic profiteering.”
It is worth mentioning that on April 22 yesterday terrorist attacked in Baisaran valley Pahalgam, while the attack resulted in at least 26 deaths and multiple injuries, marking the deadliest assault on civilians in the region since 2019—(KNO)
