New Delhi, Dec 19: Cutting across party lines, MPs from Kerala have asked the government to rationalise the airfare structure on the Gulf route alleging that "frequent" fare hikes by Air India and Indian Airlines had caused resentment among the travelling public. "The airlines (IA and AI) effect steep hike in the fares frequently which is emulated by other airlines operating on these sectors. This is nothing but sheer exploitation at its worst form. It has become habitual with the airlines to hike the fare during the seasons of festivals and vacations", 25 MPs said in a joint memorandum, released by Congress MP V M Sudheeran here.

They had also met Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee earlier in this regard.

Stating that the "exorbitant increase" in fares by AI and IA on the Kerala-Gulf sector was "adversely affecting" the travellers, the MPs said these people "find it unaffordable to travel home even once in two or three years". They said the Gulf passengers were "made to pay more airfares compared to other destinations which is unjustifiable and needs rectification".

The signatories included Suresh Kurup, A Vijayraghavan (CPI-M), A C Jose, Ramesh Chennithala (Cong), E Ahamed, G M Banatwalla (Muslim League-KSC) and K Francis George (Kerala Congress).

Bureau Report