Kochi: The Central government is learnt to have finalised the airfares for the Gulf returnees at about Rs 15,000-18,000 (QR 750-900) depending on the departure destinations, as the first Air India chartered flight to Kochi arrives from Abu Dhabi on Thursday.“The civil aviation ministry and the external affairs ministry have reached a consensus on the rates. But it is learnt that the Air India’s fare (one way) would be something between QR 750 and QR 900 (Rs 16,000-18,000),” said a source.
A resident in Dubai, whose relatives are looking to come to Kerala, told TNIE that the rates are reasonable. “May be during the lean season, one could purchase an Air India ticket for QR500-600. But, the rates fixed are very reasonable and should be welcomed,” he said.
As per the rates finalised, the Abu Dhabi-Kochi and Dubai-Kozhikode fare is fixed at Rs 15,000 (AED 725), while the Doha-Kochi ticket is priced at Rs 16,000 (QR 760). For the Bahrain-Kochi route, the airfare is fixed at Rs 17,000 (day 2) and Kuwait-Kochi fare is fixed at Rs 19,000 and Muscat-Kochi at Rs 14,000.
“The rate of `17,000 for one-side journey is by and large reasonable at this juncture for a middle class NRI from Doha (Qatar), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE,” said a Gulf returnee.
For those who are in financial distress, he said the Indian labour welfare fund available with the Indian missions abroad, which runs into several lakhs of rupees, could be utilised to pay for the ticket rates. A release issued by Air India Express said the air tickets will be issued only to those on the passenger lists prepared by the embassy/consulate.
06/05/20 New Indian Express
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A resident in Dubai, whose relatives are looking to come to Kerala, told TNIE that the rates are reasonable. “May be during the lean season, one could purchase an Air India ticket for QR500-600. But, the rates fixed are very reasonable and should be welcomed,” he said.
As per the rates finalised, the Abu Dhabi-Kochi and Dubai-Kozhikode fare is fixed at Rs 15,000 (AED 725), while the Doha-Kochi ticket is priced at Rs 16,000 (QR 760). For the Bahrain-Kochi route, the airfare is fixed at Rs 17,000 (day 2) and Kuwait-Kochi fare is fixed at Rs 19,000 and Muscat-Kochi at Rs 14,000.
“The rate of `17,000 for one-side journey is by and large reasonable at this juncture for a middle class NRI from Doha (Qatar), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE,” said a Gulf returnee.
For those who are in financial distress, he said the Indian labour welfare fund available with the Indian missions abroad, which runs into several lakhs of rupees, could be utilised to pay for the ticket rates. A release issued by Air India Express said the air tickets will be issued only to those on the passenger lists prepared by the embassy/consulate.
06/05/20 New Indian Express
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