Thiruvananthapuram: At a time when airfares to the Gulf are shooting through the roof, Oman Air has announced a seven per cent cut in the air fare of non-resident Keralites travelling to or from India. The fare cut scheme, called Norka Fare, has been announced in association with Norka-Roots, the PSU that implements the state's welfare schemes for non-resident Keralites.
A memorandum of understanding was signed by Norka-Roots CEO K Harikrishnan and Oman Air regional vice president Sunil V A in the presence of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan here on Monday. The benefit is only for those having a Norka card or Pravasi Identity Card. The reduction will be on the entire fare, except the taxes.
Non-resident Keralites residing or working abroad for at least 6 months, and have completed 18 years of age can apply for the card. At the moment there are 4 lakh Norka card holders.
To get the benefit, a Norka card holder should book the ticket through the Oman Air website (www.omanair.com), or through its offices, or through the online links of travel agencies. The code is NORK2018. “The reduction will be applicable even during the holiday season,” the Oman Air VP Sunil V A said.
He said that the Norka Fare scheme could goad Malayali travellers to plan in advance. “We have found that those travelling from Kerala tend to do last-minute booking. This fare reduction, by giving them an incentive to fly, will hopefully inspire them to plan early,” Sunil said. He said that this was for the first time in its history that Oman Air was entering into an agreement with a government body.
Oman Air flies to all points in all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, to seven destinations in Europe, and also to the Far East and Africa. In all, Oman Air flies to 49 destinations, which includes 11 destinations within India. The Norka Fare is applicable for travel to and from any of these 49 destinations. “Family members of a NORKA card holder, especially wife and children up to the age of 18, will also get the benefit. It is just that the booking has to be done using the NORKA card,” the Oman Air VP said.
Sunil said that, at the moment, the validity of the Norka Fare scheme was only till December 31, 2018. “But we will extend the scheme. The deadline we have kept now is only a formality,” he said. Norka-Roots resident vice chairman K Varadarajan said that Norka was trying to get others airlines, too, to offer such deals.
Those interested in the Pravasi Identity Card contact the Norka-Roots call centre: 1800 425 3939 or 0471 2333339.
