A number of Indian journey firms suspended new bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan on Friday, a brand new step within the escalating fallout from the India-Pakistan battle.
The selections adopted official condemnations from Turkey and Azerbaijan of India’s latest strikes in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, sparking calls on Indian social media for a boycott of journey to each nations.
PickYourTrail mentioned it’s nonetheless supporting vacationers at present overseas or with present itineraries, however that it’ll not settle for new journeys to Turkey or Azerbaijan.
“We’re pausing all new bookings to those locations for now,” mentioned Hari Ganapathy, co-founder of PickYourTrail, in a submit on LinkedIn. “This isn’t a judgment on folks or cultures… however when a authorities’s stance challenges India’s sovereignty, we imagine it’s our accountability to reply, not look away.”
Cox & Kings, an India-based firm owned by Wilson & Hughes, additionally paused journey to Uzbekistan. Karan Agarwal, the director, mentioned the corporate is prioritizing traveler security and nationwide sentiment: “We additionally advise Indian vacationers to train discretion and keep away from any non-essential journey to those locations till there may be larger readability and alignment within the broader geopolitical atmosphere.”
EaseMyTrip founder Nishant Pittie urged vacationers to rethink journey plans except completely essential. “It’s disheartening to notice that Turkey and Azerbaijan have prolonged their help to Pakistan,” Pittie mentioned in a press release.
Journey lodging model Go Homestays introduced an finish to its partnership with Turkish Airways, citing the airline’s “unsupportive stance in direction of India.”
Trip rental firm Goa Villas mentioned it will not settle for Turkish residents as visitors in its properties.
Social media has amplified requires boycotts, with many customers urging fellow Indians to keep away from holidays in Turkey and Azerbaijan, regardless of their recognition and up to date progress in Indian vacationer numbers.
The rise in Indian outbound journey to those areas was vital earlier than the present disaster.
Greater than 243,000 Indians visited Azerbaijan in 2024, double the prior 12 months and up from round 5,000 in 2014.
Turkey reported a 21% enhance in Indian guests in 2024. The tourism board cited higher air connectivity, wedding ceremony tourism, and advertising efforts as taking part in a vital function in positioning Turkey as a most well-liked vacation spot for Indian vacationers.
The Background
After tensions escalated between India and Pakistan on Wednesday, India has thus far shut down 27 main airports in north, west and central components of the nation until Might 10. These embody Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Shimla, Bhatinda, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jammu, Leh, Rajkot, Pathankot, Bhuj, Gwalior, Hindon and extra.
With the tightening of safety measures at airports, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Safety has requested passengers to reach on the airports at the very least three hours previous to departure.
“In view of an order by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Safety on enhanced measures at airports, passengers throughout India are suggested to reach at their respective airports at the very least three hours previous to scheduled departure to make sure clean check-in and boarding,” Air india mentioned in a press release.
IndiGo in an replace mentioned that with all flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, and Rajkot cancelled till Might 10, bookings made on or earlier than Might 8 are eligible for change/cancellation payment waiver for journey till Might 22 to and from these locations.
Air India Categorical mentioned it’s providing a full refund or free rescheduling for flights to and from Amritsar, Gwalior, Jammu, Srinagar and Hindon till 05:30hrs on Might 10.
