Even as there is a reduction repatriation of stranded passengers from West Asia to Kerala amid a restricted movement of scheduled and ad hoc special flights connecting the region with the State, a relief/chartered Gulf Air flight with passengers from various cities is scheduled to reach Thiruvananthapuram on March 22 from Saudi Arabia. A few days ago, the pravasi outfits in Bahrain arranged a chartered flight to Kerala via Dammam in Saudi Arabia in the absence of scheduled flight services from Bahrain.
Although the emergency movement of stranded transit passengers in various West Asian locations was nearly complete, the absence of scheduled flights from countries like Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar has been affecting the emergency travel plans of expats to and from the State.
According to Ajith Kolassery, Chief Executive Officer of NoRKA-Roots, the State government agency that works for the welfare of the non-resident Keralites, various airlines have been operating scheduled and special flights connecting West Asia and Kerala after the restricted opening of the airspaces over the Gulf region.
However, the exorbitant fares charged by the airlines on various routes are a matter of concern, especially when there is uncertainty on the employment prospects of expats due to the escalating war between Iran and the combined forces of the US and Israel. Chartered flights provide them a respite from the high air fares compared to the fares charged by the airlines now.
The State government has limitations to address the issue, especially when the model code of conduct is in place ahead of the Assembly elections in Kerala on April 9, said Mr. Kolassery.
The State government on Thursday wrote to the Centre seeking its urgent intervention to check the fleecing of passengers by the airlines. This is peak international travel season in Kerala, with the State getting ready for a two-month-long school vacation, which is also marked by the festive season in the State with Id and upcoming Easter and Vishu celebrations.