The Hindu Business Line : NRKs, exporters oppose Air India move to curtail flights to Dubai

NON-RESIDENT Keralites and the exporting community are up in arms against Air India's move to withdraw two of the seven weekly flights operating in the Thiruvananthapuram-Dubai sector from the forthcoming summer schedule and a proposal for an upward revision in freight tariff.

The international carrier is inclined to cancelling the direct flights being operated to Dubai on Saturdays and Sundays on the plea that lease terms of the aircraft deployed have expired.

If the airline were to go ahead with its plan, Dubai-bound passengers from a vast hinterland covering Kanya Kumari and Tirunelveli districts in Tamil Nadu and Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts in Kerala would have their task cut out. Among the half-a-dozen airlines operating in the Gulf sector, only Air India operates seven weekly flights to Dubai. The AI flights manage to touch down in Dubai in three hours time, while other Gulf-based airlines operating in the same sector but on a circuitous route have to put in more.

This apart, withdrawal of the Air India flights will seriously hamper shipping of export consignments from Thiruvananthapuram. The A-310 aircraft that Air India has deployed in the Thiruvananthapuram-Dubai sector is large enough to accommodate 14 tonnes of cargo.

Meeting held: The international carrier's twin plans for Thiruvananthapuram had figured in a meeting convened here by the top brass last week. Among those who attended the meet were Mr A.S. Rathore, Deputy Commercial Manager, Cargo, Headquarters, and the Manager, Kerala, Mr K.M. Kurien.

One issue that engaged their attention was introduction of exclusive cargo flights from three airports in the State to the Gulf sector in view of the budget airline services from Air India stable being primed for a launch at the earliest possible date.

The cargo flights have been mooted since the Boeing 737-800 aircraft being drafted by Air India Express, the budget liner, has limited cargo carrying capacity. The 737-800s can carry no more than two tonnes in cargo, in comparison to 14 tonnes that A-310s operating currently manage.

Sources in the trade said Air India authorities also tried to gauge the response of the exporting community to the proposal for increasing freight tariff by Rs 5 to Rs 10 per kg. At present, the tariff is Rs 34.25 per kg, which is inclusive of the Rs 2.25 fuel surcharge and Rs 2 security surcharge.

The Agricultural Products and Processed Foods Exporters Association (Appexa) has expressed its opposition to the tariff hike plan. According to Mr Dil Koshy, its Secretary, withdrawal of flights would affect exports as almost 60 per cent of the 50 tonnes of perishables exported from Thiruvananthapuram is directed to Dubai.

The move will only help foreign airlines and provide them with a ruse for demanding increase in frequency of flights as well as cargo carrying capacity. "We have taken up the matter with the local MPs so that the issue can be brought to the notice of the Prime Minister," Mr Koshy said.

The Appexa has expressed itself against the freight tariff proposal as it would affect expatriate Keralites in the Gulf region.

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