New Delhi: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday sent a letter to the Central government, expressing concern over the exorbitant airfares to the southern state, particularly from Gulf countries, media reports said.

In the letter addressed to Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Kerala Chief minister highlighted the skyrocketing airfares during the Onam season when a significant number of expatriates return to Kerala, India Today reported.

He urged the Civil Aviation Minister to take immediate action to address the soaring prices, which have adversely affected both expatriates and Malayalis who wish to reunite with their families for the festive season.

Vijayan also requested the Union minister to arrange for chartered flights from the UAE, for a month from August 15 to September 15, if required.

"I request your kind intervention to authorise the operation of chartered flights to transport non-resident Keralites from the UAE to India, specifically for the Onam festivities,” reads the letter, reported India Today.

He also said, “The operations will be conducted within the stipulated CAR (Civil Aviation Requirements) of 30 days under the ITP (International Travel Permits) provisions.”

The Kerala Chief Minister requested Jyotiraditya Scindia to issue directives to the regulatory authority and relevant departments in order to facilitate affordable transportation arrangements for expatriates and Malyalis during the Onam season.