Kerala CM Urges Regulation on Exorbitant Airfares

Kerala's CM Pinarayi Vijayan urges the union government to regulate high airfares charged by airlines on Haj pilgrims and expatriates. Although a letter was sent to the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, the government maintains it does not intervene in commercial airline pricing.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Tuesday that the state government will continue to apply pressure on the union government to regulate excessively high airfares charged by airline companies on Haj pilgrims and expatriates.

Addressing a submission in the state Assembly, the Chief Minister highlighted that airlines are imposing steep ticket prices on Haj pilgrims and expatriates returning to Kerala for festivals and vacations. A letter has been sent to the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, urging central intervention.

During a recent meeting ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament, this issue was raised, but the Centre maintains that airlines are solely responsible for their fare setting and commercial operations, citing the 1994 policy allowing airlines complete freedom to establish their prices.

(With inputs from agencies.)