MALAPPURAM: Airlines have tripled the ticket prices to take advantage of gulf Malayalees coming home with their families for Christmas and New Year. Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar sectors have seen the highest rate hike. Travel agencies also booked air tickets en masse in advance under the guise of group tickets, adding to the fare hike. The hoarded tickets will be sold by travel agencies for a huge profit as the season begins. Unable to afford the ticket cost, many expatriate families postponed the trip.

Additional service needed

• A total of 65,000 seats per week have been allotted in the India-UAE sector. There will be about one lakh passengers during the season. Then, the services should be increased or larger aircraft with more seats should be used. The central government should intervene as the service is allowed as per the bilateral agreement between the countries.
• The ministry of civil aviation has not given its nod to the state government's move for chartered flights during the season. Group bookings of travel agencies should be regulated during Onam, Eid and Christmas seasons.

Air India Express - Fare for December

Dubai-Kozhikode .................................... 22,000 - 24,​500

Sharjah-Kozhikode ................................. 22,000 - 24,500

Jeddah-Kozhikode .................................. 37,500 - 40,​500

Doha-Kochi ............................................. 34,500 - 40,500

Abu Dhabi-Kochi ..................................... 29,500 - 31,500

Abu Dhabi-Thiruvananthapuram ............. 30,000 - 32,000

Dubai-Kannur........................................... 24,000 - 25,500