Indian associations threaten to boycott AI

Indian residents in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) have threatened to boycott the national carrier Air India (AI) for not flying from the emirate despite frequent requests.

A row has erupted between eight Indian associations and the carrier for not heeding former’s pleas.

SA Saleem, President of Indian Association in Ras Al Khaimah and Chairman of Indian School, RAK, told Gulf News that around 45,000 Indians are living in and around Ras Al Khaimah who have to go to Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi airports.

Saleem warned that if no action is taken in this regard with immediate effect, the eight associations will encourage the community to boycott the carrier.
But an Air Indian official rejected associations’ threat, saying that they “have some other agenda and won’t boycott.”

Abhay Pathak, Air India’s Regional Manager for Gulf, Middle East and Africa, told the newspaper that the carrier had once-a-week flight from Ras Al Khaimah from 1993 to 2007 but discontinued it due to poor response.

However, association representatives denied that that these calls for selfish personal reasons.

The associations urged Indian government to look into the matter and allow RAK Airways – which flies to only destination in Indian - to fly to other cities in India.

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