Air India Express Drastically Cuts Kerala-Gulf Flights, Sparking Outcry and Fare Hike Fears

New Delhi: In a move set to severely impact thousands of expatriates, Air India Express is drastically reducing its services from Kerala to several Gulf nations. The airline plans to cut nearly 50 weekly flights as part of its revised winter schedule, which comes into effect on October 26.

The budget carrier, a lifeline for a large number of Indian workers in the Middle East, has cancelled key direct routes, including flights from Kozhikode and Kannur to Kuwait, and from Kannur to Bahrain and Dammam. Services from Kerala to major hubs like Dubai, Muscat, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah are expected to be halved.

This significant reduction has caused widespread concern among the expatriate community, who rely on Air India Express for its relatively affordable fares. The decision is expected to lead to a sharp increase in ticket prices across other airlines, placing a heavy financial burden on ordinary workers. The cuts will also affect passengers who travel via Gulf countries to destinations in Europe and the United States.

While Air India Express has not officially stated a reason for the schedule overhaul, it is reported that the airline is shifting its focus by increasing services from other Indian cities, such as Bengaluru. Reports suggest that new flights from Bengaluru to Kuwait, Jeddah, and Riyadh are planned to operate three times a week.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders. Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor condemned the decision in a letter to Air India Express CEO Campbell Wilson. “Air India Express must stop treating Kerala as second-class,” Tharoor warned, suggesting that if the neglect continues, preferential treatment might have to be given to other airlines operating from the state.