The lakhs of Malayali diaspora in Gulf countries are perpetually bearing the pain of the surge in airfares connecting to India. These people, who have migrated to Gulf deserts to do hard labor only to help their families back at home, are constantly denied the right to visit their homeland. They are helpless victims as the airfare charges always go through the roof during Christmas, Onam and other major festive seasons. The practice of increasing air charges only during festive seasons has gone unnoticed for a long, but now, this issue is being discussed and the airline companies are being held culpable. However, they still continue to enjoy the benefits of the price rise while the government is keeping a blind eye on this vicious act.

Last day, in a petition filed to intervene in this neck-breaking air charge that drains the pockets of the Malayalis in the Gulf countries, the High Court suggested that the state government urgently intervene and consult with the central government to pave the way for a solution. Airline companies are empowered to fix airfares under the Aviation Act. Rule 135 of the Act makes this clear. Keeping this provision as a shield, the airline companies are increasing the travel charges with no apathy to the dire strait of the hard-working people in the Gulf.

There are more than 35 lakh Malayalis in various Gulf countries. There are more than four and a half lakh Malayalis in Saudi alone. In Qatar too, the number of Malayalis is akin to Saudi. It is mostly during the festive season that these people get the chance to visit their family in Kerala. However, the surge in Ticket rates is spoiling their long-awaited reunion. Normally the ticket rate from Dubai to Kerala was just Rs 10,000. This has now gone to Rs 40,000 during the Christmas season. Airlines attribute the steep fare hike to the recent hike in jet fuel prices. Since this past June, the increase in fuel prices alone has reached 32 per cent. In clear terms, even before the hike in jet fuel prices, the airline companies have tried several manoeuvres to hike the ticket prices. The jet fuel price excuse used now is just a veneer to deftly drag forward their inhumane decision of ticket charge rise without much protest.

Although airlines have the power to hike fares under the Act, the central government have the right to intervene. In the wake of natural calamities such as floods and earthquakes, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has instructed airlines not to increase fares above a certain limit, and there is a history of curbing fare extortion. If the central government really wants to end this inhumane extortion from airline companies, they can do it on a whim.

The onus lies on the state government to apprise the central government about the helpless state of Gulf Malayalis. It should be noted that the large role of remittances sent by these expatriates is strengthening the country's economy. The high court also has asked the state government to ramp up work to end the distress of Gulf Malayalis. Sometimes diplomacy wins where law cannot.