Christmas–New Year travel: Demand grows for airfare cap on Kerala routes

New Delhi: Congress leader K C Venugopal has urged the Centre to intervene and impose a price cap on air tickets to and from Kerala during the Christmas and New Year holiday season, citing an unprecedented surge in fares that is severely affecting ordinary travellers.

In a letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, the AICC general secretary (Organisation) said Kerala has a large expatriate population in Gulf countries and functions as a key domestic aviation hub connecting major metro cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai.

Venugopal, who is also the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, said air fares on these routes have risen sharply during the ongoing festive season, causing serious hardship to middle-class and lower-income families.

“As we approach the peak of the holiday period, flight ticket prices have skyrocketed, often doubling or tripling from regular rates, making air travel unaffordable for middle-class and lower-income families,” he said. He described the trend as exploitative surge pricing by airlines.

The Congress leader said such pricing practices are not only preventing families from reuniting during the festive season but are also disrupting tourism, remittance flows and the emotional well-being of the Kerala diaspora, many of whom wait all year for an opportunity to return home.

The issue is particularly severe in Kerala, Venugopal noted, as more than 2.5 million residents work in Gulf countries and contribute significantly to the state’s economy through remittances.

He called on the Centre to take immediate steps to address the situation, including the introduction of a temporary or permanent cap on air fares during peak seasons. He also urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to closely monitor dynamic pricing in real time and take action against airlines indulging in unjustified fare hikes, ensuring strict compliance with existing aviation fare regulations.

Sharing the letter on X, Venugopal said what should have been a period of celebration had turned into a stressful experience for Kerala residents. “What should be a time of festivities has turned into a stressful affair because airlines are fleecing Kerala residents and making the most out of this situation,” he said.

The demand for airfare regulation comes amid growing public criticism over steep ticket prices during the Christmas and New Year travel season.

PTI