Airlines under fire as Gulf–India fares quadruple ahead of Eid
Dr. Saji Uthuppan
Muscat
THERE is no doubt that, under the current circumstances in the Gulf region, air travel faces certain challenges. However, concerns in this region may also affect air routes. Even so, using these realities as a pretext, airline companies sharply and arbitrarily increasing ticket fares to the Indian sector is an unjustifiable action.
In particular, fares for travel to India from Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman have risen excessively. Ticket prices that usually ranged from ₹8,000 to ₹18,000 have now soared to between ₹40,000 and ₹80,000, shocking expatriate families.
The seriousness of the issue is heightened by the approaching Eid festival. As Ramadan comes to an end and the festive season begins, thousands of families are preparing to travel home.
For ordinary expatriates who work hard throughout the year, spending Eid with their families is not merely a wish but a spiritual need. Children are waiting to see their parents; parents are counting the days to embrace their children. In such an emotional context, sharply increasing fares can only be seen not merely as a business move, but as a lack of humaneness.
The proverb “cutting down the plantain when the backyard is on fire” is highly relevant here. With both a warlike situation and Eid rush occurring together, it is unfortunate that airlines view this as a golden opportunity to increase profits. Raising prices when demand increases is a market policy, but when applied without social responsibility, it turns into exploitation.
The contribution of expatriates to the nation’s economy is invaluable. A large share of foreign exchange earnings comes from the Gulf countries. Yet it is they who bear the greatest financial burden, which is painful to see. If a family of four needs to travel at current rates, the cost now runs into lakhs of rupees. For ordinary salaried expatriates, this is an unbearable burden.
This is the time for the government to intervene urgently. Measures such as fixing a maximum ticket fare, permitting special charter services, or directing national airlines to operate additional services should be considered.
Market freedom must not override human rights and social responsibility.
The current situation has already plunged people into anxiety. On top of that, increasing fares in a way that separates families during a spiritual celebration like Eid is a challenge to human compassion. This profit-driven approach must be reconsidered.
If airlines that are expected to show compassion and responsibility during times of crisis display only cold calculation, public trust in them will erode. The practice of reaping profits over the tears of ordinary expatriates must end. Otherwise, a strong social backlash against such policies will become inevitable.
