Air India cancels free service and discount on repatriation of bodies

Social workers say new freight charges will add to burden of distressed and low-income Indians

Air India has cancelled its discount on charges for repatriating bodies from the UAE, and also stopped the free service for distressed Indians, drawing flak from social workers here.

An Air India official yesterday confirmed that the airline has cancelled the 50 per cent discount in freight charges.

“As per the business rules of carriage of human remains in international stations, the IATA’s normal Tact rates are being applied by Air India all over its network, except in the UAE where we were giving 50 per cent discount. However, the headquarters has decided to unify the fares internationally as per the Tact rates effective September 19,” he said.

He said that the airline has also stopped flying the remains of disadvantaged Indian workers free when recommended by Indian missions.

“When the consulate used to send a letter [to waive charges], it used to be accepted on a gratis basis. The freight charges were not taken. This has also been stopped now.”

The airline carried more than 800 bodies from Dubai and Sharjah to India last year.

Indian Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri said Indian missions remain committed to supporting the repatriation of indigent Indians through ICWF. “Principally, the employers or insurers are responsible for this [repatriation of bodies]. If that doesn’t happen and the individual’s family is unable to pay, we will pay for the repatriation of mortal remains,” he said.

Social workers are upset by the airline’s decision.

“This is not fair at all,” said Ashraf Thamarassery, who is well known for helping in repatriating bodies. “National carriers of countries like Pakistan are carrying bodies free of cost. Some UAE and Indiabased airlines charge much less than Air India,” he said.

Social worker Naseer Vatanappally said, “It’s very difficult [to get employers to bear the cost] in the case of unemployed and unidentified Indians and low-income workers.”