Scheduled airlines and low-cost carriers have effected a steep hike in airfare from the three international airports in Kerala to destinations in West Asia in view of high demand from Non-Resident Keralites (NoRKs) returning after Bakrid and Onam season.
The airlines are also cashing in on the demand for seats from NoRKs as educational institutions in West Asia reopen in the first week of September after the summer vacation. The airfares have been increased after Thiruonam that falls on September 4 under dynamic pricing. The hike has hit labourers and low-income NoRKs working in various countries in West Asia who depend on the budget carriers to return after Bakrid and Onam. The Chief Minister has already written to Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapathy Raju to allow more flights from destinations in West Asia to the State and back between August 27 and September 15, sources said. President of the Kerala Association of Travel Agents K.V. Muralidharan said the demand for seats is high in the first week of September to Dubai, Jeddah and Riyadh. Operating wide-bodied aircraft that can carry more passengers is the solution, he added.
