MALAPPURAM: Airlines have tripled ticket prices to take advantage of the mid-summer break in Gulf schools and Eid al-Adhal. Even Air India Express fares have gone up. The state government had sought permission to introduce chartered flights during seasons, but the Center refused on technical grounds.

A family of four needs an average of Rs 3 lakh to get back home from Jeddah. Usually, a ticket costs only Rs 25,000. It costs more than three lakh rupees for a to-and-fro trip to Dubai. The fare from Dubai to Karipur is Rs 38,800 on June 22, when the school holidays begin, and Rs 45,300 on the next day. Tickets were usually available for Rs 10,000.

Chartered flight is not easy

• The state's demand must be approved by the Union Ministry of Aviation. Since the country does not have its own airline, it has to rely on private companies.
• Air India is owned by Tata. Even daily services to Kerala have been cut due to a shortage of flights.
• In the case of airlines of other countries, special permission should be obtained from the country from which the chartered flight is taking off. Union Ministry of Aviation should also be favourable.
• Common people cannot afford the fares set by the airlines.

Additional service required

In the meeting of the airlines called by the Chief Minister during the previous government, there was a demand to allow additional services during the season. The service is provided as per the bilateral agreement between the countries. Although the Civil Aviation Secretary gave an assurance, no further action was taken.

Rate after mid-June

(Air India Express)

Jeddah - Kozhikode................................. 61,000

Sharjah - Kozhikode................................ 42,000

Abu Dhabi - Kozhikode...........................48,000

Abu Dhabi - Thiruvananthapuram..... 42,000

Doha - Thiruvananthapuram............... 51,000

Doha - Kochi...............................................42,000

Muscat - Kochi ......................................... 25,000

Sharjah - Kannur.......................................37,000

Dubai - Kannur......................................... 46,800