A coalition of associations that says it represents the Indian community in the emirate yesterday called on Air India to start flights between RAK and cities in India, or face a possible boycott.UAE is home to more than two million Indians, and while Dubai makes up the greatest percentage, there are huge communities in other emirates,said SA Saleem, the president of the Indian Association in Ras al Khaimah and the chairman of Indian School Ras al Khaimah.

Around 450,000 Indians alone reside in the catchment area of Ras al Khaimah, who have no choice but to travel to the likes of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports. This results in journeys of anything between one hour and three hours by road  in addition to the two to three hour check-in time, making it a very arduous journey, especially for families.

These people who would be much better served through Ras al Khaimah Airport, but there is only one flight operating from this airport to one city in India,Mr Saleem said.An Air India spokesman last night declined to comment on the statement.Currently, RAK Airways’ flight to Calicut is the only one from Ras al Khaimah to India.