Lower ticket costs plea by embassies

Some embassies in Bahrain are calling for airlines to reduce the cost of tickets for expatriate workers taking advantage of the government's general amnesty.
Senior diplomats say special consideration should be given to those who are desperate to return home but do not have the funds to pay for the fares.
They say the budgets of embassies are limited and if large numbers of people choose to leave the country, it would be impossible for them to foot the bill.
The amnesty, which began last Wednesday, will run until December 31.
It aims to help thousands of people who came into the country on visit visas and stayed after their documents expired or whose sponsors failed to renew their papers.
It will allow illegal immigrants to legalise their stay or leave the country without penalty.
Indian Ambassador Balkrishna Shetty said yesterday that international airlines operating from Bahrain had agreed to offer special fares for people returning under the amnesty.
"Qatar Airways and Oman Air have already approached us and agreed to offer special fares," he revealed.
07/08/07 Geoffrey Bew/Gulf Daily News, Bahrain

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Categories: Foreign Aug 2007