MALAPPURAM: Taking advantage of Christmas and New Year, there is extortion in the name of ticket price hikes in the sky and on the ground. Due to this, the expatriates are abandoning their journey to the country.

Airfare has quadrupled. Taking advantage of the non-confirmation of tickets in trains, inter-state buses have also become extortionate. Flights from the Gulf, Europe and America have all hiked fares. That includes budget airline Air India Express as well.

A family of four from Jeddah needs about two and a half lakh rupees to reach home. Ticket rates now are 70,000 - 80,000 rupees for economy class, which is usually 25,000 rupees. New York - Kochi costs Rs 1,80,000 - 2,20,000. Normally Rs 75,000 - 85,000 would have been enough. London - Kochi is 1,60,000, normal rates are Rs.50,000.

The Center is not considering the demand to increase the number of aircraft seats in the Gulf sector. There is an agreement between the two countries to allow 2,60,000 people to travel from India to UAE in a month. The demand is to make this 4 lakhs. Schools in the Gulf, which were closed for winter vacation, will reopen in the second week of January.

Today's Rate

Jeddah - Kozhikode................................... 51,000 - 61,000

Sharjah - Kozhikode................................ 36,000 - 40,000

Abu Dhabi - Kozhikode...................37,000 - 40,000

Abu Dhabi - Thiruvananthapuram............... 35,000 - 40,000

Doha - Thiruvananthapuram.......................... 50,000 - 65,000

Doha - Kochi...................................................35,000 - 40,000

Musket - Kochi ............................................ 35,000 - 45,000

Sharjah - Kannur............................................ 30,000 - 33,000

Private bus

(New increased rate, normal rate in bracket)

Bengaluru- Kochi

AC Sleeper................... 3,500- 4,300 (1,400- 1,500)

AC Semi Sleeper............2,900- 3,200 (1,260- 1,200)

Bengaluru- Thiruvananthapuram

AC Sleeper........................4,000- 4,600 (1,600- 1,700)

AC Semisleeper........... 3,300- 3,500 (1,300- 1,500)

Bengaluru - Kozhikode

AC Sleeper........................2,500- 2,700 (1,000-1,250)

Semi Sleeper...................1,700- 2,300 (900-1,000)