Air India to retain 50% discount on repatriation of bodies from UAE

Dubai - The decision will also apply to national carrier's budget service Air India Express.

To the immense relief of Indian community members in the UAE, India's national airline Air India has decided to retract its decision to do away with the 50 per cent discount on the repatriation of mortal remains from the UAE. The decision will also apply to national carrier's budget service Air India Express.
Indian residents had expressed their anguish and strongly protested the move as Air India scrapped the discount policy on September 19, exclusively provided to residents of UAE.
Senior officials from the airline's offices in Dubai informed Khaleej Times early Sunday (September 30) morning that Air India would maintain status quo and continue to provide a 50 per cent discount for repatriation of mortal remains from the UAE.
Officials at the Consulate General of India also confirmed that the airline would continue to accept free of cost (FOC) instructions from diplomatic missions in the UAE. Commenting on the issue, Consul General of India to Dubai Vipul said, "We have been informed of the airline's decision to reinstate the 50 per cent discount. Freight services would be provided free of cost in the case the Consulate recommends it."
Several community members raised the issue during an interactive session with General (Retd.) Dr Vijay Kumar Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs on Saturday, September 29. The Minister said he was made of the issue, and promised to look into the matter.
Khaleej Times had reported on Thursday, September 27 that the airline had decided to charge passengers as per The Air Cargo Tariff and Rules (Tact) rates set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Community leaders and residents have breathed a sigh of relief as the lack of the 50 per cent discount would've made the service unaffordable for families of most working-class residents in the country.
Roop Sidhu, the general secretary of the Indian Association in Ajman, who routinely deals with workers' death cases in Ajman and other Emirates, welcomed the airline's decision. He said, "The lack of discount in the service would've been very detrimental for all families, especially that of workers. We welcome the airlines' decision to retract the decision."
Naseer Vatanapally, a social worker in Dubai, said, "Air India is the go-to airline for most Indian expatriates. It is a brand and name that we trust. If people feel like they cannot afford the costs levied by the national carrier, there would be many delays in the processes. This decision has helped all Indians in the UAE."
However, some social organisations and communities continue to say that the method of weight calculation of the bodies needs to be revised. Anwar Naha, the president of Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre, said, "Currently, the charges are levied as per weight and sector. Prices vary depending on the sector the body is being transported to. This method must change. The costs must be standardised."
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com
 

• UAE
• India