Rs 65,000 for Dubai-Thiruvananthapuram ticket; Airline ticket 'theft' under guise of West Asia conflict

MALAPPURAM: Major airline companies are milking the West Asia conflict by exploiting expatriates returning to Kerala from the Gulf. Taking advantage of the opportunity, they have increased ticket prices more than three times. The previous day, up to Rs one lakh was charged for a ticket from Riyadh to Kerala.

The lowest fare currently being charged is Rs. 65,000 for a ticket from Jeddah that used to cost up to Rs. 15,000 during the off-season. From Dubai, it is Rs. 50,000. During normal times, this ticket ranged around Rs. 8,000-10,000. The loot is hidden in the guise of stopping regular services and starting special services. Most flights only offer high-priced business tickets instead of economy tickets.

Unable to afford this, most expatriates have given up trying to bring their children and other relatives back home to Kerala. The fare increase is highest in the Saudi and UAE sectors, where the Malayali presence is high. Air India, IndiGo, Etihad, Emirates, Fly Dubai, and Air Arabia operate services to and from Kerala.

Foreign airlines are at the forefront of exploiting expatriates. Even though Air India Express has a relatively low fare compared with others, the rates are still unaffordable. Most companies operate two services to Kerala a day. This is not an everyday happening. Services from Dubai have been significantly reduced due to security concerns. Although more flights operate from Saudi Arabia than from other Gulf countries, they take advantage of the opportunity and charge higher fares.

Foreign flight

Ticket fare (in rupees)

Dubai- Kozhikode..................................50,000- 55,000

Dubai- Kochi..................................55,000- 59,000

Dubai- Thiruvananthapuram ...........64,000- 66,000

Abu Dhabi- Thiruvananthapuram......26,000- 28,000

Abu Dhabi- Kozhikode............36,000- 37,000

Abu Dhabi- Kochi .....................35,000- 37,000

Jeddah- Kochi..................................65,000- 70,000

Air India fare

Dubai- Kozhikode..................................35,000- 40,000

Dubai- Kochi..................................35,000- 42,000

Dubai- Thiruvananthapuram..........39,000- 42,000

Abu Dhabi- Kozhikode............31,500- 33,500

Abu Dhabi- Kochi......................35,000- 38,000

Ras Al Khaimah- Kochi...................42,000- 51,000