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Kozhikode: Call to reduce airfares

Team of passenger, trade bodies to meet airline companies.

Kozhikode: A delegation representing passenger and trade organisations from the region would discuss steps to check the spiralling air fares with airline companies, including Emirates Airline, Fly Dubai and Etihad Airways, by the end of the month.

The office-bearers of Malabar Development Council told reporters on Thursday that the airline companies must reduce the high fares slapped on the passengers.

The services of wide-bodied aircraft of Emirates and Air India from Karipur airport should be resumed with the permission of the authorities concerned as the election code of conduct is prevailing, said the organisers. The services of Jet Airways are down and there is a shortage of flights due to many reasons. The solution is to operate big aircraft that can carry over 400 passengers while small aircraft carry much fewer numbers, pointed out MDC chairman C.E. Chakkunni.

Airline ticket charges are the highest in history, it was pointed out. Even the civil aviation director had cautioned the airline companies against unbridled airfare hike recently. The MDC office-bearers also released a list of huge airfare charged by various airlines in the Gulf sector and the tickets booked by members as evidence.

Due to the runway renovation, Air India, Saudi Airline and Emirates Airline had stopped the services of big aircraft in 2015. General secretary M.K Ayyappan also participated in the press meet.

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