India to UAE flights
Summer vacation is over, and UAE residents who had travelled to their home country are now returning back to the UAE. Many of them are finding it difficult to return due to exorbitant tickets.
India to UAE flights airfares have reached more than four times higher than the normal rates in the last week of August.
A petition has been filed by Delhi-based political group Kerala Pravasi Association, challenging the exorbitant prices of air tickets on flights operating between Gulf countries and India. The petition challenges Rule 135(1) of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, stating that it is vague, arbitrary and unconstitutional.
Following the petition, the Delhi High Court on Monday has asked a representation from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Petition filed by Kerala Pravasi Association
According to the petition, airlines have been charging unreasonable, excessive, and prohibitive airfares for travel from the Gulf region countries to Kerala and the rest of India. Resultantly, Indian citizens who wish to travel to and from these countries primarily for employment, business, and education are facing grave impediments.
Kerala Pravasi Association seeks urgent interim relief concerning the airline’s tariffs or the scrapping of Rule 135(1). This maybe the first time a writ petition has been filed challenging rule 135(1) according to senior members of the NRI association.
The petition on behalf of the NRI group was filed by Supreme Court advocate and managing partner at KMNP Law Kuriakose Varghese.
In the peak season, India-UAE airfares can range from Dh 1,500 to Dh 3,000, depending on the sector, in which Kerala sector flights are among the most expensive.
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The chairman of the Kerala Pravasi Association, Rajendran Vellapalath said, “The writ challenges Rule 135 (1) of Aircraft Rules, 1937. The pricing of airfares has to adhere to certain reasonable limits. Based on what the Court has ruled, we will not find a representation for the DGCA and take matters forward from there.”
Vellapalath added, “When two countries are involved in bilateral discussions, the civil aviation governing body can determine what sort of fare needs to be levied on passengers travelling between the sectors. The government can place a minimum or maximum cap on the ticket prices.”
Kerala Pravasi Association is a political party registered with the Election Commission of India, and it has chapters in numerous countries worldwide, including the UAE.
