Congress MP writes to ministers over soaring India-UAE airfares
A Congress leader and Member of Parliament has written to the Union Finance Minister and the External Affairs Minister, urging immediate Government intervention to address the sharp rise in airfares on India-UAE and other Gulf routes, which has placed severe financial strain on millions of Indian expatriate workers and their families.
In the letter titled “Appeal to the Hon’ble Ministers regarding rising Air Fares on India-UAE & Gulf Routes and need for Immediate Corrective Action,” the MP highlighted the growing hardships faced by over one crore Indians living and working across the Gulf region.
The letter noted that the majority of expatriate Indians in the Gulf are middle-class workers whose earnings support millions of families in India. For many, the annual summer visit home is “not a luxury but a necessity,” providing the only opportunity during the year to reunite with their loved ones.
According to the MP, employers in the UAE and Gulf region generally provide a Fixed Travel Allowance (FTA) of around AED 1,000 per person, which, until recently, helped offset travel expenses.
However, the steep increase in airfare prices has rendered the allowance inadequate.
“Airfares on India-Gulf routes have now more than doubled. The allowance no longer covers even half the fare,” the letter stated, adding that many families are now unable to afford annual visits to India.
The MP also drew attention to the emotional and social consequences of prolonged separation, stating that children are growing up without the regular presence of parents and that families are facing increasing emotional distress.
Calling for urgent action, the letter urged the Ministry of Civil Aviation and its agencies to undertake an immediate review of fare structures on India-UAE and Gulf routes. It further suggested that the Finance Ministry explore subsidy mechanisms or other measures to restore affordable travel for Indian expatriates.
The appeal comes amid continued concerns from Gulf-based Indian communities over seasonal airfare spikes during school holidays and summer vacation periods.
