MALAPPURAM: Competition between airline companies to hike ticket prices to Gulf countries in this vacation season. Air India along with other major airlines have increased ticket rates three folds. Due to rush, tickets are not available in several sectors. It has become a regular practice of airliners to increase ticket rates during the summer season and normalize it after April. Despite complaints, no actions are taken.

Private companies charge at least Rs 10,000 more than Air India. The airline companies say that seasonal rates are to compensate for the losses during offseason.

Air India Express ratesKozhikode-Riyadh economy class: Rs 38,940

Return: Rs 13,000

Kannur-Abudhabi : Rs 20,655Return: Rs 8,600

Kochi-Dubai: Rs 27,000

Return: Rs 12,000