Thiruvananthapuram: With the start of summer vacations, the airlines are charging exorbitant rates for international services, looting commuters who plan trips abroad.
The airlines have been charging irrational and excessive fares, up to three times, for flying from India to abroad than they charge for flying back to the country from foreign destinations.
The ticket fares to Canada, the US, England, and Australia are three to four times that of being charged for flight journeys back to India from these countries.
Just consider this. The ticket rate from Toronto in Canada to Thiruvananthapuram on May 1 is Rs 42, 717. However, the airlines are charging a whopping Rs 1,28, 360 for the journey from Thiruvananthapuram to Toronto on the same day.
The rates for outward and inbound flight journeys on May 1 are as follows:-
New York- Thiruvananthapuram – Rs 37,710
Thiruvananthapuram-New York – Rs 94,800 (an additional Rs 57,090)
London – Thiruvananthapuram – Rs 35,300
Thiruvananthapuram-London -- Rs 55,400
Sydney (Australia) – Thiruvananthapuram – Rs 46,215
Thiruvananthapuram-Sydney – Rs 58,970
The airlines have resorted to charging excessive fares ever since the cap on maximum fares that can be charged was taken away during the reign of the UPA Government.
No measures have been taken to prevent the ‘looting’ thereafter.
