TRIVANDRUM, 21 July 2004 — India’s flag carrier Air-India has once again steeply hiked its fares to the Gulf destinations from Kerala, despite intense lobbying by the state government and community organizations for a lower fare, hoping to cash in on the heavy passenger traffic as the school vacation comes to a close in the Gulf.
The UAE-bound passengers would be hit hard with the fares going up by 23.68 percent. A Dubai ticket from Cochin would be costlier by Rs. 2,250 at Rs. 11,750 from the existing Rs. 9, 500 while the airfare to Abu Dhabi goes up to Rs. 10, 950 from Rs 9, 250.
The fare for Riyadh goes up to Rs. 12,750 from Rs. 12,350 and Jeddah to Rs. 17,400 from Rs. 16,900.
The hike will take effect from Aug. 15. The increased fares, mainly targeting the families returning for school opening after vacation back home, will prevail till Sept. 15.
According to reports, several expatriate families are holidaying in Kerala as the Gulf schools are closed for annual vacation.
Fares to other destinations are as follows (existing fares in brackets): Doha and Bahrain Rs. 13,200 (Rs. 12,150), Muscat Rs. 10,000 (Rs. 9,100) and Kuwait Rs 13, 850 (Rs 13,400). The fares for passengers who return within three months also stands changed.
