Airfares have skyrocketed, Gulfers are struggling, needing to take out loans to return
Nigerian Malayalis who have come to Kerala to celebrate Christmas and New Year holidays are in great trouble this time. The expatriates' desire to celebrate the festive days with their families is having to pay a heavy price this time. The increase in fares is tearing their pockets and putting the financial security of many families in jeopardy.
Airline companies' extortion
Currently, the cost of returning from the UAE to their homeland from various airports in Kerala is three times that of what it costs. A family of four needs a huge amount to return to the Gulf countries after their holidays. The increase in passenger traffic has led to the airline companies' extortion. To reach Dubai from Kozhikode, one person has to pay Rs. 45,000 as a ticket price. However, the current situation is that the same amount is enough for 3 people to reach Kozhikode from Dubai. The normal fare to Dubai ranges from Rs 8,000 to Rs 14,000.
This uncontrolled increase in fares comes at a time when most of those who have come to spend their long holidays with their families are returning home. The Kozhikode-Abu Dhabi ticket fare is Rs 41,000. However, the return Abu Dhabi-Kozhikode ticket fare is only Rs 15,000. Similarly, if Kozhikode-Sharjah is Rs 46,000, then a maximum of Rs 18,000 is required to reach Kozhikode from Sharjah.
The situation is similar not only in the UAE but also in countries including Saudi Arabia. The fare from Kozhikode to Doha is Rs 35,000 and from Doha to Kozhikode is Rs 21,000. The fare from Kozhikode to Jeddah is up to Rs 62,000. However, if you have half the amount, you can reach Kozhikode from Jeddah. The ticket price from Kozhikode to Riyadh is Rs 33,000 and from Dammam is Rs 34,000. However, from Riyadh to Kozhikode, Rs 23,000 and from Dammam, Rs 16,000 will be enough.
Actions are delayed
The main demand of the expatriates is that the authorities should intervene when the rate hike continues unabated. However, no action has been taken and ticket prices continue to rise uncontrollably. Among them are expatriates who have returned home with their families in view of the local elections.