THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Union government rejected Kerala's demand to intervene to control the increase in air ticket prices from foreign countries to Kerala during Onam. Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia explained this in response to a letter sent by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

"Airlines have the right and authority to set the ticket prices. There is only a 9.77 percent increase during Onam and other times, and because of the dynamic pricing method, the only way is for passengers to book tickets early. Charter flights are allowed by considering each application separately", the minister said.

On March 30, the Chief Minister had also sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to control the exorbitant air ticket fares and allow chartered flights to operate as per the rules.