Haj airfares not increased

New Delhi: The government Friday decided not to increase the airfare for Haj pilgrims this year despite the increase in fuel prices and the resultant hike in airfares the world over.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told newspersons Friday: ''The union cabinet presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has decided not to increase the airfares in spite of recommendations of the experts' committee.''
According to the minister, the experts' committee ''had examined the current inflationary trends and the consequent rise in plane fares the world over and recommended that the fare be increased from Rs.12,000 to Rs.16,000 per pilgrim''.
The concession will benefit 110,000 Haj pilgrims who will be flying to Jeddah this year for the annual pilgrimage. But the government will pass on the increased subsidy amount, of around Rs.400 million, to Air India (AI) that will ferry the Hajis.
This year, Air India has included Varanasi also as an embarkation point.
The subsidy will include the payment of airport tax levied by the Saudi government.
03/11/07 IANS/Bhatkallys, United Arab Emirates

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Air India - International Nov 2007, Foreign Nov 2007, NACIL Nov 2007