Air India withdraws decision to hike fares of stretcher services from Gulf region

Dubai - The prices will remain the same for the benefit of passengers in need.

India's national carrier, Air India, has withdrawn the decision to hike fares of stretches services from the Gulf region, according to senior officials at the airline's UAE offices.
Earlier today, vernacular and other local media outlets reported that the airline has steeply hiked fares for its stretcher services with effect from July 20. As per the revised rates, passengers would've had to pay international stretcher fares based on (International Air Transport Association) IATA YIF fares, the most expensive category, which would've hit passengers in need very hard.
However, an Air India official confirmed to Khaleej Times that the decision has been rescinded for all AI flights from the Gulf region. He said, "There will be no increase in stretcher fares from the Gulf region. We have reverted back to the old policies. The prices will remain the same for the benefit of passengers in need."
The official explained that there are multiple booking classes or, Reservation Booking Designators (RBD's), within the economy class with class 'Y' being most expensive. Depending on the aircraft as well as the distance travelled, there are approximately 10 plus RBD's in Air India.
According to other airline sources, IATA YIF fares could amount to almost ten times the cost of regular stretcher charges, making it unaffordable for almost all passengers in need. The source also explained that a minimum of four seats are required for carrying a patient on a stretcher. 
Providing an example for the current schedule of payments, the official said, "For example, if the one-way airfare is Dh800 to a destination, the passenger has to pay Dh800x6 which amounts to Dhs 4,800. Add Dh200 taxes, the total fare cost would be Dh5,000." 
"Passengers who require the stretcher services to international destinations normally have to pay six times the airfare plus one-time taxes," he added. He stressed that stretcher fares from the UAE will continue to be calculated on the 'K' and other mid-range RBD's of carrier-issued fares.
The earlier circular issued by the airline also said that domestic fares for stretcher services would be revised as well, however, no confirmations about changes in domestic rates were made. The price revision had received much criticism from local social workers and community associations who demanded that Air India pull back the decision.
Anwar Naha, president of the Dubai's Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) said that, "This decision would've created additional expenses for expatriates; especially those who largely depend on Air India for travel given its prices are lower than other airlines."
India's national carrier was also under fire recently after passengers on multiple Air India flights out of Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, United States, have reported being bit by bed bugs over the past week. Passengers also took to sharing images of bed bugs on the airline seats, and on bed bug bites on their arms.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com