Air-India
Arab News
3 September, 2006

Activists of the Communist Party of India (CPI) marched to the Air-India office here yesterday after the national carrier rejected their demand for a fare cut. The police prevented the activists from entering the airline’s premises. Air-India chief V. Thulasidas, who announced eight additional services in the Gulf sector to clear the holiday rush last week, had made it clear that no fare cuts would be possible during the peak season. The airline’s low-cost subsidiary Air India Express is flying to Gulf destinations except Saudi Arabia, the biggest employer of Indian workforce in the Gulf. “The airlines operating on the sector have increased fares twofold during the vacation season. Things would have been different if these sectors are opened to private airlines, offering competitive prices,” K.V. Shamsudheen, chairman of the Pravasi Bandhu Trust that works for expatriates, said.