Hike in Gulf-Indian airfares spells doom for Indians

Dubai, April 2: A sharp 30 per cent hike in airfares on the Gulf-India sector, during the forthcoming holiday season, has left Indians in a lurch as most of them, especially low-income workers are now struggling to pay up the difference - which they cannot afford.

Passengers who seek to travel on this sector allege that the airlines are exploiting them by charging high fares.

They have urged the Indian government to take necessary steps to curb this practice.

Airlines increase fares anticipating huge demand for seats on the Indian sector because of school vacations.

The situation is so bad that a lot of Indian expatriates are even dropping plans to travel during the vacation period.

An Air-India official said they have been advised a fare hike - effective from this month until mid-July. Now a trip to Mumbai during April and May until June 13 ould cost 30 per cent more to around 1,050 dirhams for a return economy class ticket.

However, if it is between June 14 and July 7, there would be another 30 per cent hike taking the fare to a whooping 1,800 dirham per ticket, exclusive of taxes.

UNI