Air India Express abandons Kerala; decision to seriously affect expatriates

Wednesday 01 October, 2025 | 12:41 AM READ MALAYALAM VERSION

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Air India Express withdrew all foreign and domestic services from four airports in Kerala. This comes after the largest air carrier of India shifted its headquarters from Kochi to Gurugram in Haryana.

The aim is to start more profitable services in North India. The new decision will thus end the privilege enjoyed by passengers to reach Kerala at low prices from the Gulf. With the withdrawal of Air India Express, other companies are raising ticket prices. Around eighty services from Kerala will be stopped in October. With the withdrawal of Air India Express, IndiGo will possibly try to fill the void. Bahrain, Jeddah, and Kuwait services from Kannur are being completely withdrawn. The elimination of 25 services in Karipur will affect Gulf travel. Services from Thiruvananthapuram to Abu Dhabi and Dubai will be discontinued soon.

IndiGo increased its fares after suspending its two daily Thiruvananthapuram-Chennai services. With the suspension of the Thiruvananthapuram-Dubai service, passengers will have to opt for Emirates for travel at a higher rate. Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Dubai, Bahrain, Jeddah, Kuwait, Sharjah, and Muscat services of Air India from Kerala will soon come to an end. The 5-day Kuwait service to Karipur has also been stopped. Those travelling to the Gulf for connection flights to Europe and America will bear the brunt of the sudden decision.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has objected to the reduction in services. Shashi Tharoor MP called Air India Chairman Campbell Wilson and expressed his concern. Opposition Leader V D Satheesan wrote a letter to the Civil Aviation Minister.