NEW DELHI, MAY 9: Foreign tourists are scrambling after the Indian Government suspended commercial flights at Jammu, Srinagar, Pathankot, Amritsar and Kullu airports in the wake of escalating tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.
International travellers like Linda from the UK worry about catching their onward flight from New Delhi on May 16, while Michal from Israel has cancelled her June trip altogether.
“We are on a trip in Himachal and have booked a flight from Kullu to New Delhi for the return journey. But now we’re stuck and don’t know what to do,” said Alan, a visitor from the USA stranded in Kullu.
Tour operators report widespread confusion as they await word on when flights will resume. Beyond logistics, many tourists fear for their personal safety amid heightened uncertainty.
Several foreign embassies have issued advisories urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Jammu and Kashmir and border regions.
Hoteliers and tour operators in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are also feeling the pinch.
“This is peak season and we’re facing losses because many visitors are leaving early or cancelling their bookings altogether,” said Ramesh, a hotel owner in Manali.
Despite mounting anxieties, the Ministry of Tourism has reassured travellers that most regions remain safe and operational, and it has urged everyone to stay calm and rely on official updates.
