Dubai - Consul-General of India to Dubai Vipul said the state government has imposed a fare ceiling for the charter flights.
Published: Tue 2 Jun 2020, 9:00 PM
Updated: Wed 3 Jun 2020, 10:14 AM
Ticket prices for special charter flights repatriating distressed Indians from the UAE to Kerala will not cost more than the fares for repatriation flights under the Indian government's 'Vande Bharat Mission'.
Consul-General of India to Dubai Vipul said the state government has imposed a fare ceiling for the charter flights. "...Kerala has informed the Ministry of External Affairs that charterers organising flights to the state will have to give an undertaking from the operator it will not be charging more than what the government of India will be charging," Vipul told Khaleej Times.
Furthermore, the undertaking should also ensure that the charterer will be prioritising the travel of people who are in extreme distress. Flight tickets on the Vande Bharat Mission flights are priced at approximately Dh725.
Priority for distressed citizens
According to Vipul, several community groups have expressed interest to charter flights. However, the consulate has received written applications only from the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC). Furthermore, applications from charterers will be closely scrutinised by the missions before sending them to India's central government.
"Private company charters will form a bulk of the charterers, followed by community groups. KMCC has given us several lists, We are expecting lists from the Indian Association in Sharjah and the Odiya community in the UAE," he explained.
13,000 identified to travel
Meanwhile, KMCC officials in the UAE told Khaleej Times they have opened an online registration portal for distressed Indians wishing to return. The community group will be chartering flydubai and Go Air flights for the repatriation purpose.
Dubai KMCC Chapter acting president Mustafa Vengara said: "We are collecting applications from people with medical emergencies, pregnant women, individuals who have suffered job losses, and visa expiry cases."
So far, the organisation has identified over 13,000 passengers who wish to travel. "However, what the Kerala state government has said is challenging as chartering private airlines with such prices is not cost-effective. We are seeking the help of sponsors for this purpose."
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com
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