(a) whether the Government has received complaints that Air India as well as Air India Express levy heavy air fare from the passengers from Kerala to Gulf countries;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the action taken by the Government thereon?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )
(a)and (b): Requests have been received to reduce charges to and fro flights between Kerala and Gulf Countries.
(c): Fares on any sector are based on seasonality, demand, fares offered by competition and market condition. In spite of offering direct flights from Kerala to Gulf and spiralling costs, Air India have provided competitively low air fares to meet the requirements of Gulf passengers. Air India have also introduced a low cost budget airline, Air India Express, which has a web-based reservation system with dynamic fares offering discounts ranging from 50% to 15% on prevailing market fares.