Pune: Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, a wave of panic among tourists in Kashmir has triggered a rush to exit the region, causing a sharp spike in flight prices. One-way airfares from Srinagar to cities like Pune surged past ₹20,000 on Wednesday, as travelers scrambled to secure return flights.

According to an aviation expert, “Fares for one-way flights from Srinagar to Delhi had touched ₹65,000 today, but were brought down after government intervention.”

The sudden demand surge overwhelmed flight booking systems, with users facing alerts like “sold out,” “no flights available,” and “flights close to departure.” Several flights also faced delays, further compounding the distress of tourists trying to leave Kashmir urgently.

In response, the Pune District Collector’s Office has set up an emergency control room to assist tourists from the district currently in Kashmir. More than 350 residents—from areas including Khed, Khadakwasla, PCMC, and Bibwewadi—have sought help so far.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has advised airlines to increase operations from Srinagar and ensure “uninterrupted connectivity.” The DGCA also urged airlines to waive cancellation and rescheduling charges to ease the burden on travelers during this crisis.

Flight Carrying Terror Attack Victim’s Body to Pune Delayed

In a related update, a flight carrying the mortal remains of a victim of the Pahalgam terror attack to Pune has been delayed, IndiGo Airlines confirmed. The body is being transported via flight 6E 3103 from Srinagar to Delhi (6:00 PM–7:30 PM), and then by flight 6E 2674 from Delhi to Pune, scheduled to depart at 9:20 PM. The revised arrival time at Pune Airport is 11:25 PM on April 23.