The average airfare in the upcoming peak summer travel season from Delhi and Mumbai to Srinagar has dropped 20-30%, Google Flights data show. The double-digit drop, following the terror attack in Pahalgam, has been calculated for the period between 25 April and 25 May.
Prodded by the civil aviation ministry, airlines increased flights to and from Srinagar and waived cancellation and rescheduling charges after Tuesday's attack. As per Airports Authority of India (AAI) data, Srinagar International Airport sees 45-50 flight landings every day.
As per Google Flights data, the average Delhi-Srinagar airfare for the 7 days forward period from 25 April to 1 May is ₹4,720-5,859, 15 days forward ₹4,715-5,345 and 30 days forward ₹6,670-8640. As per the portal, the usual airfare during this period is ₹6,600-11,000.
Average airfare between Mumbai and Srinagar for 7 days forward and 15 days forward period is ₹4,775 and for 30 days forward period ₹4,775-11,810. Usually the average airfare during this period is ₹10,500-17,500.
Ajay Prakash, president of the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), said the tragedy would impact tourism in the valley, which had rebounded as a popular destination over the last few years.
"In the short term there will be a significant impact on flights, there could even be a reduction in the number of flights depending on the load and as a result we could perhaps see airfare increasing for flights to other popular tourist destinations," said Prakash.
There has been an increase in cancellations for flights to Srinagar. "The rise in cancellations is much higher than rescheduling of flights. There is a rise in cancellations of flights especially in the peak travel season," said an airline executive.
On Wednesday, ministry of civil aviation officials met airline representatives and issued an advisory against surge pricing. All carriers were directed to maintain regular fares. IndiGo, Air India, Spicejet operated extra flights to and from Srinagar on Wednesday.
India's largest airline in terms of market share and fleet IndiGo operates over 35 flights to Srinagar daily, the Air India Group over 10 flights and Spicejet five flights
(By arrangement with livemint.com)
