(a)whether the Government is contemplating to introduce special flights from Gulf to Kerala during the months of August and September, 2006 keeping in view of the festival season;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has received any complaints regarding hiking the airfare by national carriers during peak season to gulf sectors; and
(d) if so, the remedial steps taken/proposed to be taken thereon?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )
(a) and (b): Air India, Air India Express and Indian Airlines operate special extra-section flights from Kerala to Gulf depending upon the commercial viability.
(c) and (d): Representations are received from time to time from various sources against revision of fares to/from Gulf sectors during the high season. Both Air India and Indian Airlines are commercial organizations and have to act on business principles. Market forces like demand/supply, seasonality and product features like frequency, timing, direct operations etc determine the prices. There are upward and downward movement of fares in response to market needs.
Air India has also launched a Low Cost Carrier i.e. Air India Express in April, 2005 with a view to provide more economic and safe travel to people on India - Gulf route.