• Source:JND
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Shashi Tharoor AI Express Row: Shashi Tharoor, Lok Sabha member and senior Congress leader, expressed deep concerns over Air India Express' planned curtailment of flights connecting various cities in Kerala, saying the move would affect the state's trade and tourism. In an X post on Monday, the Congress leader asserted that Air India "must stop treating Kerala as an afterthought". Air India Express is the low-cost arm of the Tatas-owned Air India Group.

Here Are The Key Highlights Of Tharoor's Letter To Air India MD

- I have written to Air India MD Campbell Wilson to express my deep concern over reports of large-scale cancellations of Air India Express services from Kerala's airports in the forthcoming winter schedule, he said.

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- According to widely-circulated media accounts, a significant number of flights are being withdrawn from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode and Kannur between late October and March, Shashi Tharoor highlighted.

- Kerala is one of the busiest aviation hubs in the country, with exceptionally high international passenger traffic, particularly to the Gulf region. Any curtailment of services at this stage will inevitably cause severe hardship to migrant workers, students, tourists and families, while also hampering trade and tourism, he added.

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- Air India must stop treating Kerala as an afterthought: Withdrawing business-class services on the longest single-sector flight in India (Delhi to Thiruvananthapuram) has already added insult to injury, the Congress MP said.

- If Air India continues its disregard for Kerala’s interests, IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) and Akasa Air are waiting in the wings and many of us will have no compunction about switching our allegiance to those who give us the attention we deserve, he mentioned.

- "I had publicly hailed Air India as my favourite airline. But when facts change, opinions can change too. I hope all concerned will pay due attention. @TataCompanies," he added.

- Meanwhile, there was no immediate comment from Air India Group. The winter schedule for scheduled flights, which is yet to be officially announced by aviation regulator DGCA, starts from late October.
(With PTI inputs)