MUMBAI: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has instructed airlines to temporarily operate more flights out of Srinagar to handle the rush of tourists who want to cancel their holiday and leave Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of Tuesday’s terror attack. Airlines were also advised to waive cancellation and rescheduling fees.
“In the aftermath of the incident in Pahalgam, there is an unexpected demand from tourists seeking to return to their homes. In this regard, the airlines are advised to take swift action to increase the number of flights in response to heightened demand and also to ensure uninterrupted connectivity from Srinagar to various destinations across India, facilitating the evacuation of stranded tourists,” said an advisory issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
“The airlines are also requested to waive cancellation and rescheduling fees to provide all necessary assistance to tourists facing unexpected circumstances and challenges during this difficult time,” the ministry said.
At least 27 tourists were killed and many injured in a firing by terrorists at a popular tourist location in Pahalgam on Tuesday afternoon. The attack has sent shock waves through the tourism industry, which saw Kashmir grow in prominence as a much-visited destination in the past few years.
The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) has put out numbers of its office bearers of the J&K Chapter, who are available to assist any tourist who needs help.
“You can contact any of the following and be assured of sensitive and caring assistance: Shamim Shah (Chairman) +91-9596778899 / +91-9070445555, Burhan Misgar (Secretary) +91-9797859705, and Muhammad Showkat (Treasurer) +91-9622558319. We stand together in solidarity,” said TAFI in a statement, which condemned the attack.
“Mere words cannot express the horror of this dastardly deed, and our prayers go out to the families of the victims. This heinous act cannot go unpunished, and we stand firmly with our govt to give a befitting reply to our enemies and the cowardly perpetrators. The last few years have seen peace and prosperity return to Jammu & Kashmir, driven to a large extent by burgeoning tourism. This attack is a cowardly attempt to destabilise tourism and life in the region, and it must not be allowed to succeed. TAFI members across the country vow to support the tourism industry in J&K,” it said.
A group of tour and travel agents from Jammu and Kashmir also issued a joint statement condemning the attack.
“This senseless act of violence is unacceptable and has caused undue distress to innocent visitors. We urge our members to communicate positively with their agents and clients, reassuring them that Jammu and Kashmir remains a welcoming destination for visitors from around the world.
Despite this challenge, we will continue to showcase our region’s beauty and resilience. Let’s stand united in condemning this attack and supporting our tourism industry, which is vital to our economy. Together, we will overcome this adversity and ensure Jammu and Kashmir remains a beacon of hospitality and peace,” said the statement issued by a group comprising the Travel Agents Society of Kashmir (TASK), Association of Kashmir Tour Operators (AKTO), Pilgrim and Leisure Tour Operators Forum (PILTOF), Tourist Trade Interest Guild (TTIG), Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), J&K Chapter, Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), J&K Chapter, and Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), J&K Chapter.