Vyalar Ravi to take up airfare hike issue with Aviation min

Dubai, Apr 4 (UNI) Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vyalar Ravi said he would take up the issue of 30 per cent hike in airfare on the Gulf sector with the Aviation ministry.

He said he did not approve of the fare hike during the school vacation time when families plan to visit home.

Describing the hike as ''mere exploitation'' Mr Ravi told Khaleej Times he would discuss the issue with Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Praful Patel, as soon as the latter returns to New Delhi from his overseas trip.

''We will discuss the matter at the ministerial level and find a solution. I am sure the two ministries can work together to solve the issue,'' he said in a telephonic interview.

Admitting that the high airfare is one of the main problems NRIs have been facing since long, he said, ''Unfortunately it has remained unsolved. I am concerned about this problem.'' He said he has received several complaints from NRIs in the Gulf region in this connection.

''I know that Indian expatriates, especially those in the low-income group, are struggling to meet two ends meet in the Gulf under changing living conditions. The recent fare hike is an extra burden on their shoulders,'' he said.

''The recent hike in airfare by the Indian carriers in particular cannot be justified because of the upcoming school vacation when the demand for seats on the Gulf-India sector is at its peak,'' the minister said adding, most families, who can only travel around this time of the year will be adversely affected.

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