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Kerala CM Urges PM Modi to Halt "Predatory" Airfare Hikes for Stranded Indians

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging immediate central government intervention to stop the predatory hiking of airfares for Indians stranded in Gulf countries. He highlighted the distress of thousands, including many Keralites, stranded due to flight shortages and airspace closures from the West Asia conflict. Vijayan also called for a centralized registration system to prioritize the repatriation of the elderly, pregnant women, and those in financial distress. Indian airlines have begun limited special flight operations, with the Civil Aviation Ministry monitoring the situation to assist stranded nationals.

Key Points: Kerala CM Seeks PM Modi's Help on Gulf Airfare Hikes

  • Call to halt predatory airfare hikes
  • Request for increased flight services
  • Need for centralized repatriation system
  • Special care for vulnerable & transit passengers
  • Tensions in West Asia strand thousands
2 min read

Kerala CM Vijayan urges PM Modi to intervene in "predatory hiking" of airfares for Indians returning from Gulf countries

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan writes to PM Modi, urging intervention against predatory airfares and more flights for Indians stranded in Gulf.

"Urged the Union Government to intervene against the predatory hiking of airfares - Pinarayi Vijayan"

Thiruvananthapuram, March 6

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Central Government to intervene in "predatory hiking" of airfares and to increase flight services to bring back Indians stuck in the Gulf countries amid conflict in West Asia.

In a post on X, Pinarayi Vijayan said, "Wrote a letter to PM Modi drawing urgent attention to the distress faced by our Pravasis in GCC countries due to the current conflict. Thousands, including many Keralites, are stranded due to flight shortages and airspace closures. Urged the Union Government to intervene against the predatory hiking of airfares and to increase flight services to Indian cities."

Vijayan also said that the Central government should establish a centralised registration system to prioritise the repatriation of the most vulnerable and urged it to give special care to transit passengers stranded mid-journey without local support

"We need a centralised registration system to prioritise the repatriation of the most vulnerable, including the elderly, pregnant women, and those in financial distress. Special care must also be given to transit passengers stranded mid-journey without local support. Keralam remains fully committed to supporting our returning brothers and sisters," he said.

This comes amid escalating tensions in West Asia after a joint US-Israel military strike on Saturday on Iranian territory resulted in the death of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other senior figures, prompting a fierce response from Tehran.

In retaliation, Iran launched waves of drone and missile attacks across multiple Arab countries as the conflict now entered its seventh day.

Meanwhile, Indian Airlines such as IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet have started limited flight operations to bring back stranded Indians from the West Asia conflict.

SpiceJet will operate 14 special flights from the United Arab Emirates on March 6 to facilitate the return of stranded Indian nationals.

Ministry of Civil Aviation is also continuously monitoring the situation and assisting in the flight operations to bring back the stranded Indians.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good move by CM Vijayan. But why wait for a crisis to act? The government should have had a contingency plan ready. Airfares to Gulf have always been high, now they're just taking advantage.
A
Aman W
My cousin is stuck in Dubai. Tickets that were 25k are now over 1 lakh! How is a common person supposed to afford this? The centralized registration system for vulnerable people is a very sensible suggestion.
S
Sarah B
While the CM's concern is valid, I hope this doesn't become a political blame game. This is about bringing Indians home safely. The Centre and state need to work together, not point fingers.
V
Vikram M
Operation 'Ganga' during Ukraine war set a good precedent. Why not a similar large-scale effort now? Our diaspora sends billions in remittances, the least we can do is ensure their safe return in an emergency.
K
Kavya N
The focus on transit passengers is crucial. Imagine being stuck in an airport in a foreign country with no visa, money, or support. Hope the MoCA's monitoring leads to swift, concrete action.

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