Kerala to Saudi Airfares Skyrocket Amid Flight Suspensions
Kerala expats face massive airfare hikes to Saudi Arabia as direct flights are suspended due to regional conflict, with prices jumping to over Rs 1 lakh.
The large Malayali expatriate community in Saudi Arabia is facing significant financial strain due to a dramatic surge in Kerala to Saudi airfares. The sudden spike in ticket prices has left many workers and families struggling to manage travel costs during a period of heightened regional instability.
Prices soar as direct flight routes are halted
Recent reports indicate that economy class ticket prices have jumped from pre-conflict rates of approximately Rs 15,000 to between Rs 67,000 and over Rs 1 lakh. This massive increase follows the suspension of most direct flights from India to major Saudi destinations, including Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.
The suspension of these direct routes is a response to ongoing regional conflict and Houthi attacks. While major carriers such as Air India and IndiGo have extended their service suspensions into late October and early November, there have been limited reports of flight resumptions by Flynas from Riyadh.
Longer journeys and increased travel times
With direct options largely unavailable, travelers are being forced to rely on connecting flights. This shift has not only made travel significantly more expensive but has also resulted in grueling travel times, with journeys now ranging from 16 to 20 hours.
The situation has caused widespread distress on social media platforms like X, particularly for those attempting to return to their places of employment or those needing to travel for emergencies. In response to the growing crisis, some community groups have requested the operation of chartered flights to alleviate the financial burden on the expatriate population.
Official advisory and expert outlook
The Indian Embassy has issued an advisory urging all travelers to verify the current status of their flights directly with the airlines before making travel arrangements.
Industry experts attribute the current price surge to a sharp reduction in flight supply. They noted that a return to normalcy and stable pricing will depend heavily on improvements in regional security. Currently, travelers are advised to:
- Monitor airline applications for real-time updates.
- Consider flexible travel dates to find more affordable options.
- Explore alternative routes through other Gulf nations as they await the restoration of full flight schedules.