Exorbitant Airfares Cause Financial Hardship for Gulf Country Migrants

Air travel costs to Gulf countries during the June to September holiday season have surged five-fold, causing significant financial difficulties for poor laborers and middle-class migrants wishing to visit India. Rajya Sabha member Jebi Mather Hisham has called this an 'organized loot' and asked the government to intervene.

Air fares to Gulf countries during the June to September holiday season have surged five-fold, causing significant financial strain on poor laborers and middle-class migrants wanting to visit India, Rajya Sabha member Jebi Mather Hisham stated on Monday. She urged the government to halt this 'organized loot'.

Addressing the issue through a Zero Hour mention in the House, Hisham noted that the peak travel season for Gulf residents is now a 'horror season' due to 'exorbitant, exploitative, and extortionist' airfares from airlines.

'We call it organized loot because the fare hike hasn't doubled or tripled but has increased by more than five times,' Hisham said. A one-way fare from Gulf countries to Kerala has jumped from Rs 8,000 to Rs 46,000, making it nearly impossible for poor laborers to afford the journey.

(With inputs from agencies.)