Concerns Rise Over Kashmir Airfare

The soaring airfares to the Kashmir Valley have become a cause of concern for those associated with the tourism industry. As the Kashmir Valley approaches peak summer tourism, stakeholders say airfares are touching new heights daily, negatively impacting the industry.

People associated with the industry said that every flight connecting other states to the Kashmir Valley is seeing significant increases in fares daily, which is adversely affecting the industry. While Kashmir is witnessing many visitors, the numbers could have been higher if airfares were more reasonable.

A travel agent in Srinagar told Rising Kashmir that there is a surge in ticket prices every summer, and people often refrain from booking tickets due to the high rates. Recently, tickets from Srinagar to Delhi were priced around 3500–4000 rupees; these tickets are currently sold for 7000 rupees, sometimes exceeding 10000 rupees. This situation has persisted for the last couple of years, and despite repeated pleas to higher authorities, there has been no improvement.

Tourists from various parts of India are complaining about the airfares, noting that travel to destinations outside India is more affordable than travelling to the Kashmir Valley. He suggested that the government increase flights, which would help decrease airfares. The continuous fare hikes also affect tourists, students studying outside the valley, and patients with medical emergencies. Another travel agent mentioned that Indian families often prefer to travel to Kashmir but cannot afford to travel due to high airfares.