Kerala leaders unite against airline fare hikes targeting NRIs

Kerala's political leadership presented a rare show of unity on Wednesday, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan both attacking airlines for what they termed 'fleecing' of non-resident Keralites through excessive airfare hikes.

Raising the issue during the Assembly session, both leaders highlighted that successive state governments have repeatedly escalated the matter with the Union government without achieving meaningful intervention. The high cost of air travel to Kerala has emerged as a persistent concern affecting the state's significant diaspora population and their ability to maintain connections with their homeland.

The session witnessed significant political tensions, with Opposition members staging a walkout over what they characterized as the denial of benefits to NRKs and the dissolution of the Loka Kerala Sabha, a cultural and administrative body aimed at strengthening ties with the diaspora. The walkout underscored deeper frustrations over government handling of diaspora-related issues beyond the immediate airfare controversy.

The rare consensus between the ruling and opposition benches on airline pricing reflects growing public discontent among Kerala's overseas communities, who form a crucial economic pillar through remittances and investments. State officials indicated that the Centre's cooperation remains essential to address the issue effectively, as aviation pricing falls under federal regulatory purview.