Abu Dhabi: The news that Go First airlines hope to resume its operations brings joy to thousands of Keralite expatriates, especially from the Malabar region. The budget airlines had stopped operating services from May 3 to 12, owing to severe financial crunch.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Aviation had asked the airlines not to sell tickets or accept bookings until May 19. The airlines hope to resume the operations after the date. After it stopped services, the sale of tickets from the Malabar region to the Dubai and Abu Dhabi sectors had nose dived.
Moreover, the prices of air tickets in this sector had sky rocketed, making it unaffordable for the common people. Those who have to fly to Kannur, Kozhikode and Mangaluru from Abu Dhabi were the worst affected. Shortage of airline services in these routes created severe travel crisis.
Expatriate families too were worried as the schools close for summer holidays in the Gulf by the end of June. Various organisations and individuals had appealed to the state and the central governments highlighting the plight of the passengers. The airline authorities had apologised for abruptly cancelling the services and had promised full refund to the passengers. They have informed that the passengers can rescheduled their journeys once the services resume.
