Kozhikode: The citizens’ forums have demanded government intervention to help air passengers who have been hit hard by the lack of enough flights and the rising air fares.
Among the 119 Jet Airways flights, only around 40 are operating now putting the domestic air passengers in dire straits. The strike by Jet Airways staff against the delay in salary disbursal has come at a time when the demand for services to and from the Gulf was soaring due to Eid, Vishu and summer vacation.
Calicut Chamber of Commerce secretary Rajesh Kunhappan told DC that more services were needed from Malabar region to the Gulf sector now. “Though there were attempts to operate Emirates flights from Karipur airport, the process is still on,” he added.
Many airlines, including Spice Jet and Indigo, have cut down the flights as well as services from Malabar, it was pointed out. There is an increase in passenger traffic due to the elections too.
Malabar Development Forum chairman C.E. Chakkunni told DC that passengers were left high and dry due to lack of attention from the leaders.
“The bureaucracy is also busy with the election process,” he added. “Lakhs of non-resident Keralites and their kith and kin will be the victims,” he said.
