Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the central government to intervene in the steep rise in airfares from Gulf countries to Kerala, especially during peak and festival seasons. The letter highlights that these fares are unaffordable for many, particularly migrant workers, and have forced millions of workers to pay exorbitant prices for air tickets, sometimes costing them several months of their meagre savings.
Despite requests from migrant organisations and the Government of Kerala, airline operators have not responded favourably to fix airfares at reasonable levels. Over the past two months, airline operators have increased airfares to more than three times the normal price for tickets, the CPI(M) leader wrote. He also urged the central government to initiate negotiations with airline companies operating in the India-Gulf sector to ensure that they do not adopt an exorbitant pricing strategy during peak-demand occasions such as festivals and school vacations.
Considering the huge demand for intervention during this festive season, the Government of Kerala has decided to operate additional or chartered flights at reasonable airfares during the peak and festival seasons and vacations to the low-income emigrants in Gulf countries. The letter also highlighted that there are three possible options available to operate additional or chartered flights, which are Indian Registered Scheduled Carriers, Foreign Registered Scheduled Carriers, and Foreign Chartered Flight Operators. However, the number of seats available for sale to and from a foreign sector is determined through a bilateral agreement with the Government of India. As the permitted number of seats (traffic rights) is fully utilised by scheduled carriers currently, unless the Union Government grants exemption or relaxation, the scheduled carriers will not be able to operate any additional flights.
The Chief Minister has requested the Civil Aviation Ministry to accord the necessary approvals expeditiously for additional or charter flight operations booked by the Government of Kerala from the 2nd week of April 2023.
The major festivals for Keralites such as Vishu, Easter, and Ramadan fall in the 2nd and 3rd week of April 2023.
The letter emphasized that the central government must take proactive measures to address this vexing problem and provide relief to migrant workers who are struggling to afford airfares
