New Delhi, April 23 || The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday advised commercial airlines such as IndiGo and Air India to increase the number of flights to meet the surge in demand from tourists stranded in Srinagar in the wake of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
The airlines have been urged to facilitate the return of the tourists to their home destinations across the country and not to charge cancellation or rescheduling charges for the flights.
The advisory issued by the DGCA said: "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 the heightened demand and also to ensure uninterrupted connectivity from Srinagar to various destinations across India, facilitating evacuation of stranded tourists."
"The airlines are also requested to consider waiving cancellation and rescheduling fees and provide all necessary assistance to tourists facing unexpected circumstances and challenges during this difficult time," the advisory said.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has issued directives for operating four additional flights from Srinagar to Delhi and Mumbai to support stranded travellers.
He has also issued directives to ensure that flight fares do not increase unnecessarily.
As part of immediate relief measures, four special flights from Srinagar -- two to Delhi and two to Mumbai -- have been arranged, with additional flights kept on standby to cater to further evacuation needs.