Soaring airfares

Just when Kashmir’s tourism industry was beginning to sense a long-awaited winter rebound, domestic airfares have once again skyrocketed. The Union government’s temporary cap on airfares, issued to contain the fallout of IndiGo’s ongoing operational crisis, was meant to offer relief. Instead, travellers continue to report ticket prices that are far beyond the notified ceilings, raising serious questions about compliance and enforcement.

For days now, passengers booking flights to and from Srinagar have been confronted with fares that are unaffordable. A Srinagar–Delhi ticket priced between Rs10,000 and ₹15,000 is no longer an exception; it has become the norm. The government may have stepped in with fare caps, but the ground reality suggests that airlines are either unwilling or unable to implement them.

This matters far beyond the inconvenience of individual travellers. Air connectivity is the lifeline of Kashmir’s tourism economy, especially in winter, when road travel is unpredictable and peak-season events, from Christmas to the snow season, attract visitors from across the country. The Valley’s tourism stakeholders hope for a strong revival this winter, compensating for a very lean summer. Instead, exorbitant ticket prices may turn potential visitors away at the very moment the industry needs momentum.

Tourism accounts for a major share of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, supporting hotels, restaurants, transporters, guides, handicraft sellers, adventure operators, and thousands of small businesses. When airfares soar unchecked, all are affected. Hoteliers report a rise in cancellations. Travel agents say bookings to Kashmir are being diverted to cheaper destinations. Even local residents, many of whom rely on air travel for work or medical reasons, find themselves priced out.

This is not a new problem. Every winter, airline pricing becomes a pain point for Kashmir. A cap is meaningless unless it is enforced. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation must monitor fares in real time, penalise violations, and ensure transparency in how airlines manage fare buckets during capacity disruptions. Affordable and fair air pricing is not merely an economic requirement, it is a lifeline for the thousands who depend on tourism.