THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Amidst the escalating tensions in West Asia, Congress Campaign Committee Chairman Ramesh Chennithala has formally requested the intervention of the Union Government to address the severe aviation crisis affecting thousands of Indian expatriates.
In a detailed letter addressed to Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Chennithala highlighted the plight of Gulf-bound passengers, particularly those from Kerala, who are facing flight cancellations and skyrocketing ticket prices.
The Growing Crisis
The regional conflict has forced significant changes in air travel logistics. Several Indian carriers have been forced to scale back operations due to restrictions imposed by Gulf nations, including Dubai, through May 31. The impact is substantial:
- Air India has reportedly canceled nearly 690 services.
- IndiGo has seen a reduction of operations by almost 90%.
- Airspace restrictions across West Asia have added further operational challenges for all airlines.
Exploitative Pricing Concerns
Chennithala pointed out that while domestic carriers are struggling, foreign airlines like Emirates and flydubai are allegedly capitalizing on the shortage of seats. This has led to an “unbearable” hike in airfares, leaving many expatriates stranded or financially drained.
“The Union Government and the Ministry of Civil Aviation must intervene at a diplomatic level with Gulf nations to facilitate more Indian flights and regulate these predatory ticket prices,” Chennithala stated.
Proposed Solutions
The senior leader urged the Central Government to:
- Initiate diplomatic dialogues with Gulf authorities to ease service restrictions.
- Implement price caps to prevent the exploitation of travelers.
- Operate special flights at subsidized rates for Indians needing urgent travel during this crisis.
