Srinagar, Jan 04: Skyrocketing airfare to the Kashmir Valley has become an unbearable burden, particularly for students, patients, and residents. Despite repeated appeals to relevant authorities, the issue remains unresolved, leaving people to endure the financial strain in silence.
Locals have expressed their frustration over the high cost of air travel, with fares to Kashmir often surpassing those of international flights to destinations like Dubai and Southeast Asia. Many are questioning why it is more affordable to travel abroad than to their own home region.
One local resident, Shabir Ahmad, expressed his concern, especially in the case of medical emergencies. “Whenever there’s an emergency, patients and their families have no option but to pay exorbitant ticket prices to travel to Delhi or other cities for treatment,” he said. “It’s an added financial burden during an already stressful time, and no one seems to care.”
Students are also feeling the impact of inflated fares. Ahmad Raza, a student from Srinagar studying in Delhi, highlighted how the high airfares are affecting his education. “I need to return home during breaks or attend family emergencies, but the high airfares make it unaffordable. It’s frustrating when I realize that flying to Dubai is cheaper than flying home,” he said.
The financial strain is compounded by the fact that ticket prices have remained high, even as the number of flights to Kashmir has increased. The President of the Houseboat Owners Association Kashmir, Manzoor Pakhtoon, called for airfare regulation.
“Why would anyone visit Kashmir when you can fly to cheaper destinations? The high airfares are discouraging people from coming, causing problems for everyone, especially residents who need to travel frequently,” he said.
Tourism stakeholders and locals alike are advocating for the implementation of price capping to ensure affordable air travel. Despite multiple appeals to the Government of India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, no action has been taken to resolve the issue. “The government keeps promising to address this, but the problem persists,” said a local business owner.
With the livelihoods of local businesses tied to tourism and residents struggling with the high cost of travel, the demand for immediate intervention continues to grow. Without significant reductions in airfare, the lives of Kashmir’s people—whether they are students, patients, or residents—will continue to be hampered by this ongoing issue.
