Flagging a travel crisis in West Asia impacting Indian expatriates, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala wrote to the Union Civil Aviation Minister, urging immediate action to help stranded Indians, especially Keralites. The ongoing tensions in West Asia have disrupted air travel between India and Gulf countries, affecting migrant workers and expatriates. Airlines have been forced to cancel, reschedule, or reduce operations due to restrictions imposed by Gulf nations like Dubai.
The disruptions have led to a significant increase in air ticket prices on affected routes, burdening travelers, many of whom are daily wage earners. Air India and IndiGo have cut down their operations to Gulf destinations, exacerbating the situation. Airspace restrictions in West Asia have made flight scheduling complex and economically challenging for Indian carriers. Chennithala highlighted the need for urgent government intervention to address the crisis.
Chennithala called for diplomatic engagement with Gulf governments to restore Indian airline operations and regulate fare hikes. He also proposed special airfare arrangements and fare caps for passengers traveling from Gulf countries to India. With a large number of expatriates relying on these routes for employment and family ties, the situation remains critical. The coming weeks will test the government’s response and diplomatic efforts in managing the crisis.
