Indian Expats Urge PM Modi to Intervene as Air India Express Plans Kerala Flight Cuts
Indian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have raised an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi following reports that Air India Express (AIE) may scale back its flight operations from four major airports in Kerala during the upcoming winter schedule. The potential reduction, though not yet officially confirmed, has sparked widespread concern among Gulf-based Indians, particularly low- and middle-income workers who depend heavily on affordable direct flights between Kerala and the Gulf region.
Reports of Major Flight Cancellations
According to industry reports, Air India Express is planning to withdraw a significant number of flights from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode and Kannur airports during the winter schedule, which runs from late October to March. While the airline has not issued an official statement, the news has spread rapidly among Indian expats and community organisations across the Gulf.
The Indian Association Sharjah (IAS), led by president Nissar Thalangara, submitted a formal petition to Prime Minister Modi, calling the reported move a direct threat to a “critical lifeline” for thousands of families. The petition highlights that many workers, students and families rely on AIE’s affordable and direct connectivity to Kerala. Without it, they would be forced to take longer, more expensive routes through third-country hubs.
Community Outrage in the Gulf
Prominent Indian community leaders have expressed alarm at the possibility of losing direct links to Kerala. Jayachandran Nair, president of the India Social and Cultural Centre (ISC) in Abu Dhabi, criticised the airline on social media, accusing Air India of treating Kerala “as a stepchild.” He warned that many Gulf-based Indians would not hesitate to shift their loyalty to other airlines willing to serve the state more reliably.
Expats stress that Kerala contributes one of the highest shares of Indian migrant workers to the Gulf. Most of them are from modest income backgrounds and regularly send remittances home. Rising airfare costs, especially during festive or holiday seasons, make budget-friendly airlines like Air India Express indispensable.
Already, return fares to Kerala in December have touched between Dh1200 and Dh1400, with expectations of further spikes closer to Christmas and New Year. Expats fear that flight cancellations will only inflate ticket costs further, pushing travel beyond the reach of ordinary workers.
Political Voices Add Pressure
The concerns of Gulf NRIs have also been echoed in India. Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram, wrote to Air India’s managing director Campbell Wilson, expressing “deep concern” about the reported cuts.
Tharoor pointed out that Kerala is one of India’s busiest aviation hubs, particularly for Gulf-bound traffic, and warned that reducing flights would create “severe hardship” for migrant workers, students and families. He also criticised Air India’s earlier decision to withdraw business-class services on the Delhi–Thiruvananthapuram route, describing it as an “insult to injury.”
Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Travellers
The IAS petition underlined that the withdrawal of services would disproportionately hurt vulnerable groups such as elderly parents, students returning home, and low-income workers who travel occasionally. For many, direct flights are the only practical way to visit family. Losing this option could mean long separations, as indirect travel is financially out of reach for many.
Community leaders also warned that if Air India Express exits these routes, other airlines could exploit the situation by increasing fares, further burdening travellers.
Seven-Point Action Plan Proposed
In its petition, IAS urged the government to intervene quickly. Among its recommendations were:
Immediate continuation of essential routes until alternatives are in place.
Ensuring Kerala airports receive their rightful share of international slots.
Introducing fare-protection mechanisms to prevent price exploitation.
Encouraging other airlines to operate under a public-interest obligation scheme.
Establishing a task force involving diaspora representatives and MPs from Kerala to monitor changes.
Transparency in route viability studies.
A long-term plan to safeguard Kerala’s aviation connectivity.
Economic and Social Concerns
Community leaders also highlighted the broader economic risks. Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) from Kerala contribute significantly to India’s foreign remittances, a major source of the country’s foreign exchange. Restricting affordable travel could reduce their ability to maintain family ties and discourage cultural and tourism exchanges. Airports in Kerala, which have undergone costly upgrades to handle international traffic, also risk under-utilisation if connectivity is cut.
Tharoor reinforced the sentiment, warning that competitors like IndiGo and Akasa Air are ready to capture Kerala’s Gulf-bound market if Air India Express abandons it. “If Air India continues its disregard for Kerala’s interests, many of us will have no compunction about switching allegiance,” he stated.
Waiting for a Response
As of now, Air India Express has not officially confirmed the cancellations. However, the uproar from the diaspora and political leaders has placed the issue under sharp focus. The expat community remains hopeful that Prime Minister Modi’s intervention will prevent a disruption to what they call Kerala’s “lifeline to the Gulf.”
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