For Egypt rescue flight, AI charged up to 55,000

Mumbai: It was not just the violence which spooked those evacuated from Cairo. The fare, charged by Air India for the special flight was almost double that of the usual return ticket.
Most passengers were charged Rs 45,000 and in some cases the ticket fare went upto Rs 55,000. Usually, a one way fare on Mumbai-Cairo sector is between Rs 17,000 to Rs 20,000. Many flyers complained they were forced to pay cash.
AI refused to comment on the fares. An AI official said the fares had to be high as the airline had operated the flight from Mumbai to Cairo empty. ''Also, the airline does not have a base in Cairo. All check-in and take-off formalities had to be managed with whatever small staff available,'' said a senior AI official.
Civil aviation minister Vayalar Ravi, who also handles the overseas Indians ministry, received several complaints.
01/02/11 Times of India

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Categories: Air India Feb 2011, Foreign Feb 2011