Airlines told to spare capacity for redeployment to Kashmir

New Delhi, Aug 2 (IANS) Given the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, central civil aviation authorities have advised airlines to spare additional capacity that can be deployed to Srinagar in case of an emergency, sources said on Friday.

According to government sources, airlines have been advised to free up capacity that can be quickly deployed to the state so that tourists and pilgrim s can be flown-out. On their part, airlines such as Air India, IndiGo and Vistara have waived rescheduling, cancellation charges for all flights to and from Srinagar.

"In view of the current security situation in Srinagar and the Government advisory regarding it, we are providing a full fee waiver on rescheduling/cancellation for all flights to/from Srinagar till Aug 09," IndiGo said on its official Twitter handle.

Vistara tweeted: "Due to prevailing security situation in Kashmir, we are waiving change and cancellation fee for flights to/from Jammu and Kashmir for next 7 days (till August 9)."

In a statement, Air India said: "In view of the prevailing circumstances, the national carrier has decided to give a full fee waiver on rescheduling/cancellation for all Air India flights to/from Srinagar till August 15."

The development assumes significances after the Jammu and Kashmir government issued a security advisory for tourists and pilgrims on Amarnath Yatra to curtail their pilgrimage.

In an advisory, the state government on Friday said: "Keeping in view the latest intelligence inputs of terror threats, with specific targeting of the Amarnath Yatra, and given the prevailing security situation in the Kashmir Valley, in the interest of safety and security of the tourists and Amarnath Yatris, it is advised that they may curtail their stay in the Valley immediately and take necessary measures to return as soon as possible."