Pinching pockets

With peak summer hitting the Gulf, many expatriates were preparing to fly to Kerala to enjoy the monsoon bliss, but alas, the plans fell apart. Airline companies have more than doubled ticket prices, leaving expatriates devastated. Ticket prices on Indian and foreign airlines have increased by four to 13 times. There are no seats left on direct flights. On the other hand, connecting flights are also running at a premium. Moreover, a journey that takes four hours on a direct service can take up to 16 hours on a connecting flight!

While some blamed the Iran-Israel conflict for exacerbating the crisis, few others expressed little surprise and blamed the shrewd tactic of airlines in increasing the rates, taking note of the passenger rush.

Only people who have booked tickets four months prior are able to travel at a lower cost. Since trips often do not go as planned, only a few have booked tickets months earlier.

A family of four has to spend lakhs of rupees, depending on the high ticket price, to travel back and forth. People not financially sound to afford these rates have dropped their travel plans. There is an increase in the number of flights to Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram airports. Air India Express has comparatively low ticket prices. However, due to the recent air disaster, many are avoiding India’s premium air carrier.

Foreign airlines are charging double the amount charged by Air India. The ticket charge on the Abu Dhabi-Kozhikode route on Air India Express is Rs 21,000. The ticket price for economy class on Etihad Airways on the same route is Rs 50,000. The ticket charge on the 'Saudi' flight from Jeddah to Kochi is also close to half a lakh.

Air India will charge Rs 30,000 to Rs 32,000 from Doha to Thiruvananthapuram. During the recent festival season, all airlines had increased ticket charges to drain the pockets of expatriates. 65,000 seats are allocated per week in the India-UAE sector. There will be about one lakh passengers during the season. If the seats are increased through a bilateral agreement, the gradual increase in fares can be controlled. A similar situation exists in the Saudi sector. If the Union Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Aviation, and DGCA take the initiative and hold discussions, the number of seats allocated in the Gulf sector can be increased. MPs from Kerala should also take the initiative to exert political pressure to resolve the quandary.