Skyrocketing Airfares: Kerala MP asks 'how can a labourer return from Gulf country?'

New Delhi: Jebi Mather Hisham, Rajya Sabha member from Kerala, on Monday accused airlines of exploiting passengers by drastically increasing airfares to Gulf countries.

"The exploitative, exorbitant ticket prices are an organized loot," the Congress MP said during the Parliament session on Monday, adding, "Prices have not just increased normally; they have skyrocketed by five times."

She explained that a poor immigrant worker who used to pay an average of Rs 16,000 for a round trip to the Gulf now has to pay Rs 46,000, totaling around Rs 1 lakh. For a middle-class family of four, the cost has jumped to about Rs 3.64 lakh.

Hisham also criticized the government for staying silent on the issue, accusing it of being complicit with the airlines.

“The airlines are invariably together, coordinating the prices. They stand united in this aspect. The government is being a partner in this crime, in this organised loot by not taking any actions against it. People from gulf countries contribute more in the GDP. While they are backing the economy’s growth, we are breaking their backbones and burning holes in their pockets," she added

Earlier on Friday, Congress MP Shafi Parambil had moved a resolution in Lok Sabha seeking measures to regulate airfare, emphasizing the financial burden faced by immigrant workers due to fluctuating ticket prices.

"The rate to fly on 27th July from Cochin to Dubai on Air India is Rs. 19,062 for economy class. The site shows only 4 seats vacant. The same airline, same duration, same airport of departure and arrival; the same flight for August 31st shows the rate of Rs. 77,573. Please note, only 9 seats are left," Parambil stated.

"Is this just about demand and supply? For tomorrow, only 4 seats are left, and this is the price while it's so much more for August 31st. How will the workers come home? How will they go back to their work? They are not rich people who have abundant resources. Most of them are normal laborers who work for a flat salary. They work hard to ensure that their families have their bread and butter. They work to ensure that their parents get the required treatment. How will a normal employee afford a ticket of Rs 77,000?" he questioned.