Exorbitant airfares exploit Malayali diaspora in Gulf countries

Every holiday is a day of mourning for the Malayali diaspora in the Gulf countries, who fear flying back to their own country. Airlines exploit the holiday season by hiking ticket prices five to six times, robbing expatriates of their hard-earned savings. This exploitation has persisted since Indians, especially Malayalees, started migrating to the Gulf in search of employment. Although there were fluctuations in the past, the situation has now escalated beyond control. Despite the existence of an aviation department and central ministers, no action has been taken to regulate this blatant exploitation. The Aviation Minister recently stated in Parliament that this issue is beyond their purview.

In essence, airlines have full authority to set airfares. It is ironic that while the central government controls airports and their facilities nationwide, it has no say in determining airfares. During peak seasons, the government often responds to public outcry with temporary measures, as seen last season when a committee was proposed to address excessive ticket prices. However, only a small fraction of MPs show interest in the air fare issue, as their travel expenses are typically covered by the government or sponsoring organizations.

Last Christmas-New Year season, Gulf airfares surged manifold, sparking widespread protests that yielded no tangible results. Now, with schools reopening after the summer vacation in the Gulf countries, expatriate families face exorbitant airfares when returning home. A ticket to Dubai, which normally costs ₹8,000, can rise to between ₹40,000 and ₹50,000 during the season. As tickets sell out, prices climb even higher. A family of three or four needs over ₹300,000 for round-trip travel, forcing many to forgo travel altogether. Those with urgent needs, however, have no choice but to deplete their savings to fly home.

Malayalis are particularly vulnerable to airline exploitation, with approximately 3.5 million Malayali expatriates heavily reliant on air travel. If more expatriates from states controlled by the central government faced similar exploitation, action might have been taken. Despite having had eight Union ministers from Kerala, the issue remains unaddressed.

The central government's stance of non-interference, citing that airfare regulation falls within the airline associations' domain, is unacceptable. Measures must be taken to control airfare hikes. With Onam approaching, airlines are poised to exploit the season once again. The government should prioritize the welfare of its citizens over the interests of airlines.