Govt to take steps to reduce air fares to Gulf if AI agrees

Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 14 (UNI) Union Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi today said the government will take all steps to reduce air fares to the Gulf if Air India comes forward to do so.

Talking to mediapersons here, he said if Air India decides to reduce its fares, the other airline companies would also be forced to follow suit.

The increase in airfares during the holidays could not be justified as most of the Keralities working in the Gulf were coming to the state not for holidaying but for being with their family members, he said.

The recent exorbitant fare was not affordable to those persons who are working in the Gulf, he said adding ''they are not Non Resident Indians (NRIs) but Non Resident Workers (NRWs).'' The Union Minister said letters had been sent in this regard to the Air India and a meeting of Air India and IATA had been convened to discuss the issue.

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