Winter Takes Flight — Literally
By: Javid Amin | 26 October 2025
As Kashmir’s signature autumn-to-winter transition paints the Valley in gold and white, Srinagar Airport—once buzzing with 60 daily flights—now stands quieter than usual.
Airlines have slashed daily operations to just 39 flights, citing plummeting travel demand, security apprehensions, and seasonal downturn.
This sharp reduction, confirmed by both civil aviation and tourism department officials, is being felt across the region’s travel ecosystem—from hotel bookings and taxi operators to handicraft sellers and houseboat owners.
“We’ve gone from managing full flights and packed hotels in October to cancellations and empty rooms by late November,” says Imtiyaz Ahmad, a hotelier near Dal Lake. “It feels like the season ended overnight.”
What’s Behind the Cut?
The current slump is being attributed to a confluence of factors, each compounding the pressure on Kashmir’s fragile tourism recovery.
01. Fallout of the Pahalgam Attack (April 2025)
The April 2025 militant attack in Pahalgam, which disrupted the early tourist season, continues to cast a long shadow over visitor confidence.
Although security has since been reinforced across major routes, the perception of risk has deterred domestic travelers, especially families and honeymooners who usually dominate winter tourism.
02. Low Occupancy and Empty Cabins
Airlines report occupancy rates dropping below 40%, with many seats going unsold despite promotional fares. Routes like Delhi–Srinagar, Mumbai–Srinagar, and Chandigarh–Srinagar—normally packed during festive and winter months—are now operating at half capacity.
03. Financial Strain on Airlines
Operating in high-altitude, weather-sensitive zones like Srinagar is already cost-intensive due to frequent fog delays, security checks, and fuel requirements.
With low passenger volumes, airlines are running at a loss, leading several carriers to petition the government to:
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Waive user and security charges at Srinagar Airport for a year.
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Offer fuel price subsidies during the lean season.
An airline executive, speaking anonymously, said:
“Flying half-empty planes to Srinagar doesn’t make financial sense. We need structural incentives, not just seasonal appeals.”
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A Temporary Spike, Then Silence
Interestingly, in April 2025, immediately after the Pahalgam incident, Air India and IndiGo had introduced four additional flights to evacuate stranded tourists and facilitate free rescheduling and full refunds.
But that emergency expansion has since given way to contraction.
The Civil Aviation Ministry, aware of the impact on the region’s connectivity, has:
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Issued advisories to prevent fare hikes.
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Urged airlines to maintain essential connectivity to Srinagar.
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Directed authorities to monitor winter operations closely.
Despite these measures, the overall frequency remains significantly below last winter’s levels, when up to 60 flights a day maintained steady tourist flow.
Seasonal Slump Meets Security Anxiety
While winter typically sees a dip in travel, this year’s decline has been sharper and earlier.
The usual rush of honeymooners, adventure seekers, and snow tourists has slowed down dramatically.
Ground Reality:
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Hotels in Gulmarg and Pahalgam are operating at 30–40% occupancy.
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Houseboat owners in Srinagar report cancellations through December.
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Travel operators cite “negligible group bookings” for Diwali and Christmas holidays.
“Even promotional offers and discount packages aren’t working this time,” says Riyaz Dar, a Srinagar-based travel agent.
“The fear factor, coupled with rising airfare and limited flight options, has scared tourists away.”
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Economic Ripples: When Fewer Flights Mean Fewer Livelihoods
The reduction in flights affects thousands of ancillary workers who depend directly or indirectly on tourism:
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Taxi drivers waiting at the airport see fewer rides.
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Horticulture exporters face delays in perishable shipments.
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Artisans and carpet sellers lose foot traffic from tourists.
According to data from the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the Valley could see a 15–20% drop in winter tourism revenue if the situation continues through January.
Airlines’ Calculus: The Numbers Game
For airlines, every route is a balancing act of costs vs. yield.
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Delhi–Srinagar route remains the busiest, but even here, average occupancy has fallen from 90% to 55%.
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South India routes, such as Bengaluru and Chennai, are seeing near-zero bookings due to limited connecting flights and costlier winter fares.
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Weather disruptions further discourage bookings as passengers fear cancellations or diversions to Jammu.
Industry insiders point out that once a flight schedule is scaled down, it takes months for frequency to return—especially if advance bookings remain weak.
Tourism Experts Weigh In
Experts view the development as a test for Kashmir’s tourism resilience.
“Connectivity is the lifeline of modern tourism,” says Dr. Muneeb Qadri, a travel economist. “When airlines cut routes, destinations lose momentum. The perception of instability spreads faster than reality.”
He suggests a three-tiered approach:
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Marketing campaigns to rebuild traveler confidence.
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Incentives for airlines to maintain regular winter connectivity.
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Integrated safety communication to dispel misinformation about ground conditions.
Also Read | Top 10 Kashmir Tour Packages for Every Budget (2025 – 2026 Guide)
Policy Recommendations
To cushion the blow and stabilize tourism, several measures are being discussed between the Tourism Department, Civil Aviation Ministry, and local stakeholders:
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Seasonal travel subsidies for airlines flying into Srinagar.
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Joint promotional campaigns (“Winter in Kashmir”) targeting domestic travelers from Delhi, Mumbai, and Gujarat.
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Weather-resilient scheduling, ensuring better communication and rebooking facilities during snow delays.
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Airport infrastructure upgrades, including de-icing equipment and night landing facilities to improve operational capacity.
Officials hint that a revised flight schedule for January–February 2026 may restore frequencies if demand improves during the winter festivals.
Tourism Sector on Edge
For Kashmir’s hoteliers, houseboat owners, and guides, the cut in flights feels like déjà vu — reminiscent of the COVID-era slump, when bookings dried up overnight.
“We were just recovering from the pandemic and political disruptions,” says Shazia Gani, who runs a travel agency in Srinagar. “This flight reduction is another blow when we were hoping for a strong winter season.”
Industry associations have urged the government to launch domestic tourism drives, highlighting Gulmarg skiing, winter festivals, and Kashmiri cuisine to revive demand.
What Lies Ahead?
While officials insist the situation is temporary, the winter ahead looks challenging.
With fewer flights, higher fares, and fragile confidence, Kashmir’s tourism industry faces a potential off-season deeper than usual.
If not addressed swiftly, the Valley could lose momentum built over the last three years, when record-breaking visitor numbers had signaled a comeback.
Still, optimism flickers among locals:
“Snow will fall, tourists will return. We just need to keep the doors open,” says Ghulam Nabi, a shikara owner on Dal Lake.
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Editorial Reflection: The Chill Beyond the Cold
This crisis is not merely about flights or fares — it’s about connectivity, perception, and resilience.
Each cancelled flight symbolizes a disrupted livelihood, and each empty seat reflects a traveler’s fading trust.
As Kashmir gears up for another winter, the region stands at a crossroads — between decline and revival.
What happens next will depend not only on airline schedules but on how boldly Kashmir reimagines its travel narrative.
