Exorbitant Air Price Tickets To Gulf Countries: Kerala High Court Seeks Response Of Centre, Kerala Govt

Justice Devan Ramachandran has sought response from the Central and State Government regarding the exorbitant air ticket price hikes to Gulf countries. The Court also remarked that this was a serious issue requiring attention as it impacts the lives of many people who depend on air travel.

The petitioner submitted that he has around five thousand employees working in his company situated in Qatar alone, out of which three thousand employees are Indians and also Keralites. It is submitted that all of his employees depend on air travel for going home for their vacation or for emergency purposes. The petition also states that during the festival season, the air fares quadruples and the employees cannot go home to their loved ones for celebration. Unfair ticket prices are unaffordable for many families who stay abroad to contribute to our economy, the plea stated thus:

“It is submitted that ticket prices have skyrocketed at a time when air travel has become an integral part of most people's lives like never before. The employees of petitioner’s company as well as expatriates will be affected by frequent fare hikes by airlines.”

The petition states that Airports Council International, India now has the highest air fares compared to other countries in the Asia Pacific and Middle East region. The petitioner also stated that he has submitted representations to the Secretary of Ministry of Civil Aviation and to the Secretary of Civil Aviation Authority regarding the unfair ticket price hike, but has received no response.

The petitioner is represented by Advocates P.E.Sajal and Ajas K.S.

Case number: WPC 33488/2023

Case title: Zainul Abideen V Union of India