It appears that the all-time low price of the ATF (aviation turbine fuel) and humanitarian concerns have not been taken into account while fixing the airfare, it has been pointed out. The inability of the airline to adhere to the social-distancing norms and laxity in using wide-bodied aircraft have come in for criticism as two lakh NoRKS have expressed their desire to return. Since AIE flights can carry only 177 passengers, only 2,478 can be ferried on 14 flights earmarked for the State. Airline sources said it is not possible to enforce the social-distancing norms in the seating arrangements. For all the AIE repatriation flights to Kerala, the fare has been pegged at ₹13,000.

Source: The Hindu May 07, 2020 18:15 UTC