SRINAGAR: Post Pahalgam attack, the Government of India acted swiftly to check the surge in airfares from Jammu and Kashmir, particularly from Srinagar, as fears of a tourist exodus loomed large. Responding to widespread concerns over airlines charging arbitrary fares, the Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had issued immediate advisories to both airlines and online travel platforms.
The government directives aimed to ensure uninterrupted air connectivity from Srinagar to major Indian cities while enforcing transparency in fare displays. In a decisive move, the DGCA instructed all airlines to cap airfares on two critical sectors: Srinagar to Delhi at under Rs 10,000 and Srinagar to Mumbai at under Rs 13,000. Airlines were also told to waive cancellation and rescheduling fees to assist stranded passengers.
This intervention led to a tangible drop in ticket prices. A one-way flight from Srinagar to Delhi, which had spiked to over Rs 20,000 on April 21, saw its fare reduced to under Rs 10,000 by April 24, the Civil Aviation Ministry reported. To further stabilise the situation, flight frequency was increased from 51 on April 22 to 56 on April 23, offering more options to passengers and curbing demand-led inflation.
While airlines in India retain autonomy over fare-setting as per Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, the government clarified that it remains vigilant and can intervene when necessary. The DGCA’s Tariff Monitoring Unit (TMU) continues to monitor fares on select routes to prevent excessive pricing.
Although no punitive action has been publicly announced against any airline for fare violations in this instance, the Ministry indicated that any breach of the issued fare caps would invite regulatory measures. The government has not introduced a new fare-control policy but reiterated its role as a facilitator in maintaining passenger welfare and ensuring affordable connectivity in times of crisis.
