Airlines, airports unite to bring Pahalgam victim's body, family home to Surat

NEW DELHI: Wednesday saw two competing private airlines and a state-owned & a PPP airport coordinate to ensure the mortal remains of a Pahalgam terror attack victim and his grieving family members reached their Surat home. Five members of the family along with the moral remains of their loved one were supposed to fly from Srinagar to Surat via Indore on one private airline. While they reached Delhi, this airline’s next flight to Surat was on Thursday.

Air India Express had a Delhi-Surat flight on Wednesday on which they could be flown if the flight was delayed a bit. “Recognising the urgency and the sensitivity of the situation, we decided that we can delay the flight if Surat airport which operates till 11 pm can extend its watch time by an hour. Surat Airport agreed to do so. We then delayed our Delhi–Surat flight IX 2750 to accommodate the family and the human remains, ensuring they could travel together on Wednesday itself without waiting a day in Delhi,” said AI Express officials.

“This coordinated act saw seamless collaboration between the two airlines, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), security teams, ground handlers, and the Airports Authority of India. From facilitating swift cargo documentation and security clearances at Terminal 1 to arranging special transportation to bring the family and the remains to Terminal 3 for boarding, every stakeholder worked in unison to ensure a dignified and timely passage. Watch hour extension permissions were swiftly secured at Surat Airport, reflecting the shared commitment of all involved to go beyond the call of duty in service of humanity,” the official added.