Kerala flays AI for charging higher rates in festive season

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Government in Kerala today took strong objection to national carrier Air India's charging higher rates during the festival season for overseas flights to and from Kerala, on which a large chunk of Non-resident Keralites (NRKs) depend for travel.

"Air India's approach of hiking fares arbitrarily has no justification and Kerala's strong protest has been conveyed to its authorities," Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told the state Assembly today.

While replying to a calling attention motion by Ramesh Chennithala(Congress)on problems of NRKs, he said the matter has also been brought to the attention of Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi.

The NRKs, mostly working in the Gulf countries,suffer due to the differential rates charged during the festive season.If Air India stopped this practice, other airlines would also fall in line,he said.

A rehabilitation package for NRKs returning home under adverse circumstances was also on the agenda and support would be sought from the Central Government and its agencies on this issue, he added.

An NRK meet called "Pravasi Malayali Sangamam' would be held in Kerala in December this year, he informed. This meeting will enlist support for a global investor meet "Emerging Kerala 2012" in Kochi in April next year, Chandy said.