Airlines appeal for fee waiver at Srinagar Airport to revive air travel demand to Kashmir
Srinagar, Jun 10: In the wake of a steep decline in tourist footfall to Kashmir following the terror attack in Pahalgam, the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) has appealed to the government for a one-year waiver on key passenger charges at Srinagar Airport to help revive air travel demand in the region.
The industry body, which includes major carriers such as Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, has specifically requested the waiver of the User Development Fee (UDF) and Aviation Security Fee (ASF), which are currently levied on all departing passengers from Srinagar. As per FIA, passengers are presently paying Rs 1,050 as UDF and Rs 200 as ASF, in addition to applicable GST.
“May we request, if the government can waive both UDF and ASF for every departing passenger from Srinagar airport for a period of one year with immediate effect. It will boost air travel demand to and from Srinagar airport,” the FIA said in a communication.
The airlines have noted that beyond safety and security measures already being undertaken by the government, financial relief plays a critical role in restoring passenger confidence and stimulating demand in times of crisis.
The appeal comes as Srinagar’s tourism-driven economy faces a severe slump. “After the Pahalgam incident, tourists are terrified and no one is travelling to Kashmir region for tourism purposes. There is no demand for air travel to and from Kashmir. Hotels are empty there,” the statement said.
The FIA has further urged the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to take up the issue with the Ministry of Finance at the earliest. It also highlighted the broader contribution of Indian airlines to national connectivity, economic growth, and tourism in Jammu and Kashmir over the years.
“In view of the above, we request the MoCA's urgent intervention with the Finance Ministry to have these requirements removed altogether and to align with APIS information already submitted to the Bureau of Immigration,” the communication added.
The proposed waivers, if approved, are expected to provide immediate relief to airlines and passengers while offering a financial nudge to revive tourism and restore normalcy in Kashmir’s air travel landscape.
