Fixed air fare for carrying bodies of Indian expats

MUSCAT, JAN 5- India’s low-cost airline Air India Express will henceforth charge a unified rate of RO 160 for carrying bodies of Indian expatriates to their home country, said the airline’s office in Muscat.
India’s national carrier Air India too will charge the same amount.
The rates were earlier based on the weight of the body.
P M Jabir, a social worker who assists in the repatriation of bodies of Indian expatriates to their home country, lauded the latest decision.
“The announcement has come in the wake of our long-pending demand to treat the mortal remains of expatriates with respect and not charge based on the weight of the body,” Jabir, Head of Community Welfare Wing of the Indian Social Club, said.
“Air India’s decision to standardise airlifting charges for the bodies of Indian expatriates regardless of the weight and sector is a welcome move,” said P T K Shameer, another social worker. He, however, said he was unsure about its effectiveness in offering relief to the family/friends of the deceased in Oman.
“Air India is not a preferred carrier for carrying bodies because of their rigid procedures,” he said.
He said Air India has “standardised only the airlifting charges, whereas we have to pay cargo handling charges to the agent apart from the declared charges, which remains unchanged.”